How To Stay Married (So Far) The Story of HOW We FIRST MET!How To Stay Married (So Far) The Story of HOW We FIRST MET!
How To Stay Married (So Far)
Nadia Sawalha and Mark Adderley look back on how they first met while working on a BBC dating show, sharing a chaotic, boozy origin story full of flirtation, misunderstandings and one unforgettable night in Blackpool. Their conversation also explains why they keep their marriage podcast unedited and brutally honest, even when things get emotional.
34:13•30 Jul 2026
From Boozy Beginnings to Big Feelings: How Nadia and Mark First Met
Episode Overview
- Nadia and Mark recount how they met while making the BBC series "Perfect Partner", both already deep in heavy drinking and overwork.
- They highlight the importance of showing their real arguments and emotions, refusing to sanitise their marriage conversations.
- Their first night together in Blackpool happens on the day of 9-11, wrapped in grief, alcohol and a chaotic, hungover shoot the next morning.
- Mark admits to multiple flings and self-described "slapper" behaviour, while Nadia talks about being seen as a "loose woman" and how that felt.
- They show how flirtation, humour and shared damage formed the foundation of a relationship later tested by addiction, rehab and recovery.
“What is the point of doing a marriage podcast if it's sanitised?”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey and messy love stories? This chat between Nadia Sawalha and Mark Adderley throws you straight into the chaos, humour and honesty of how they first met, long before rehab and recovery were on the table. You’ll hear them piece together their early days working on a BBC dating show, "Perfect Partner", while both were heavy drinkers, exhausted from too many jobs and tangled relationships.
Nadia talks about juggling Loose Women, endless travel and "drinking on my feelings", while Mark describes his life as "a mess" with depression, two daughters and near-constant boozing. Their meeting on a Leicester street, their flirtation on whirly office chairs and a very memorable camera shot on Nadia’s blue puffer jacket give the episode its comic spark. Things get darker around the night they finally got together in Blackpool, on the day of 9/11.
They remember Jack Daniels, egg sandwiches, cigarettes stubbed out in the room service, and both thinking it might just be a one-night stand. Mark admits he was a "total slapper" and thought Nadia was "a bit of a one" too, while Nadia reveals she was quietly cock-blocking other women who fancied him. Through all the laughs, you’ll also get a sense of why this podcast matters for anyone dealing with addiction, recovery and relationships.
They insist on leaving their rows and awkward moments in the episodes, asking bluntly: "What is the point of doing a marriage podcast if it's sanitised?" If you’re looking for a raw, funny and very human look at love, booze and beginnings, this story might get you thinking about your own. So, what does your "how we met" story say about where you were with drinking, work and self-worth at the time?
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