Back to Back Gypsy Wedding Episodes | My Big Fat Gypsy Weddings Compilation

Added: 2026-05-11

[00:00:05]Hey guys, do you know where foundation is?

[00:00:08]>> 15year-old Danielle is finally ready to start enjoying her hen party.

[00:00:14]>> Is it just one step closer to marrying Brendon?

[00:00:17]>> Um, it's a party poster. An extra party >> on my phone.

[00:00:22]>> It's another need probably for disco and new clothes >> and Yeah. and drink. She says >> but not for me. I won't be that one.

[00:00:34]>> The theme is black, pink, and bling.

[00:00:44]Except that is for the wife in waiting.

[00:00:53]Local householders and leads have woken up to find a traveler site on their doorstep.

[00:01:15]And the travelers have woken up to find the police on theirs.

[00:01:24]Oh yeah, there's kids that'll be keeping in from the houses, what have you, any rubbish that'll be tidied up and so on.

[00:01:29]>> Police has just come on the ground and um they're just a bit suspicious and stuff. They're wondering who owns the horses and how long are they going to stay on here. Next time we'll hear from them probably be the verdict of go notices today.

[00:01:49]As the police leave, more travelers arrive.

[00:01:59]>> What do you think of the place?

[00:02:02]>> Crap.

[00:02:04]>> What's it like traveling all the time?

[00:02:06]>> It's very good.

[00:02:09]Um, you get to see a load of people.

[00:02:11]>> Yeah, >> you get you get out and about and everything. You get to move around loads of places.

[00:02:15]>> We've been nearly all the way around the earth.

[00:02:28]After recently having her first holy communion, Chloe and her sister Nicole are looking forward to their dad coming out of prison.

[00:02:36]>> I love you, too.

[00:02:38]>> Nicole, can I use that pen? Can you use it? Thanks.

[00:02:44]>> So excited.

[00:02:47]>> Wow.

[00:02:49]Three out of two then.

[00:02:53]>> Do you like it?

[00:02:56]>> The gate is open.

[00:03:00]>> We go. Daddy.

[00:03:03]Daddy.

[00:03:03]>> Where is he?

[00:03:06]>> Daddy.

[00:03:11]>> Despite arriving in good time, 3 hours later, they're still waiting for their dad to be released.

[00:03:17]What do you reckon it's taking it so long?

[00:03:20]>> I think they do on badness >> because every traveler that's in prison always gets treated like animals. Proper animals just because they're travelers.

[00:03:30]>> They hate us.

[00:03:31]>> And I bet me life if you asked >> 10 out of 10 traveling prisoners to tell you the exact same thing.

[00:03:43]>> Oh, please just let daddy out. Please, for God's sake, please.

[00:03:47]>> There he is. There's Daddy. GET OUT. GET OUT.

[00:03:51]>> DADDY, >> what are you going for?

[00:04:01]>> She missed you. She thought you miss.

[00:04:04]Let me get the child. Don't cry.

[00:04:08]>> Don't be crying. Don't cry.

[00:04:13]Stop crying.

[00:04:21]Chloe's dad asked not to be identified as he believes it will affect his ability to find work.

[00:04:34]>> You have to get daddy home.

[00:04:36]>> Yeah.

[00:04:38]>> Back home, Chloe has a surprise for her dad.

[00:04:50]The kids is absolutely delighted to have him back. Um, they've kind of [ __ ] me now because daddy's back. It's all daddy, daddy, daddy. And it's not mommy as much, which is a good thing. It gives me a break.

[00:05:06]>> What's it like having your dad back then? Has he said anything since he's been like >> that he really missed us and that he loves us?

[00:05:16]>> Did you miss him?

[00:05:17]>> Yeah, really missed him.

[00:05:22]>> It wasn't a full family without him here.

[00:05:28]>> Well, is it a full family now?

[00:05:29]>> Yeah, a proper full family. Right, I'm going on bike.

[00:05:39]Many gypsies and travelers feel it's getting harder and harder to live a traditional way of life. And for one member of the community, the battle between her traditions and the law has been lost.

[00:05:51]>> It's Mary um seti was supposed to be getting delivered today.

[00:05:55]>> I'm here. I'm just checking when you're out for the delivery.

[00:06:00]>> Tell me what's happened. I decided that I can't travel no more cuz how things has gone so bad. We're getting shifted too many times. I decided that I was just moving here for me baby sick. Like >> is there not a part of you that will be sad about leaving the camp?

[00:06:15]>> Your friends and going out and chatting in the night cuz travelers is a close community.

[00:06:26]Despite Mary's regrets, like most travelers, she can't wait to stamp her own unique personality on her new home.

[00:06:34]>> We're going to have a 55 in plasma on the walls.

[00:06:39]I'm going to have a sunbed along here.

[00:06:41]I'm going to turn this in from my space.

[00:06:44]We're going to extend it, try and extend it, and make it into a gym.

[00:06:48]This is the bathroom.

[00:06:50]>> People don't tend to have their toilets in their in their trailers. Do you think John John will be able to adapt to that?

[00:06:56]Having a toilet in his house?

[00:06:58]>> Yeah. I don't think that's going to get very hard for to get used to. No, we're not even going to get on that conversation. John, I love it. He won't get off of it. Right.

[00:07:17]>> 15year-old Danielle's hen party is getting underway in style. Air. You want to hold the hold?

[00:07:23]>> Yeah.

[00:07:25]>> Attending will be up to 50 friends and family, both old and young.

[00:07:31]>> The spy cake.

[00:07:33]>> Yeah, Mike said to the whole word.

[00:07:39]>> And unable to stay away from his fianceé, Brendan has also decided to come along.

[00:07:45]>> I wasn't expecting me here tonight. I expected me in jail tonight, but I'm here now and [ __ ] it. What's going to do?

[00:07:52]Please welcome Miss Cash.

[00:07:55]>> But with Danielle booking a drag queen to entertain the party, he's not entirely sure he's made the right choice.

[00:08:01]>> Are you ready, boys and girls?

[00:08:04]>> Right. Testicles. Testicles. Big sweaty hairy testicles. One, two, one, two.

[00:08:09]>> Come on, DANIELLE. COME ON. KEEP THE CLAPPER GOING.

[00:08:13]>> HELLO, my darling.

[00:08:18]>> Did he grab you?

[00:08:19]>> Did he >> grab you?

[00:08:20]>> No. No, no grabbing.

[00:08:22]>> I can say if he grabs me, he's going to have a [ __ ] handful.

[00:08:31]>> In 7 months time, Brendan and Danielle are planning to get married on Danielle's 16th birthday.

[00:08:37]>> I feel very lucky, very, very lucky to marry a girl like this. Who would have been lucky to marry a girl like that?

[00:08:44]Tell me.

[00:08:45]>> And do you feel lucky to be married?

[00:08:47]Yeah, I love him to happy with him now.

[00:08:50]Happy with my choice.

[00:08:51]>> I see hosted again.

[00:08:53]>> We're happy with each other.

[00:09:00]>> I couldn't ask for better her. She love my life. I tell the truth. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:09:06]>> And will that keep you out of jail then?

[00:09:08]That part?

[00:09:08]>> Of course. Of course. If I lose her, I lose my life. Let's see. Yeah. Of course.

[00:09:21]What do you reckon the school me?

[00:09:22]>> It's bloody chic.

[00:09:24]>> Next time we explore life before marriage for gypsy and traveler children.

[00:09:31]>> You don't see many seven-year-olds doing that, do you?

[00:09:33]>> Where growing up is a right of passage to be celebrated.

[00:09:39]>> Most people think that's ridiculous.

[00:09:57]don't.

[00:15:21]It's 5:00 a.m. Ambrose Senior and his son are up early to avoid the police.

[00:15:27]And the first race in the Traveler trotting season will soon be underway.

[00:15:32]Really the first race out. Everyone's just starting right nearly. We're also as keen and really we're super keen.

[00:15:38]>> If it was a big race, how much money would we be riding on?

[00:15:41]>> A big race is like a football match. You don't know cuz it's all done behind scenes.

[00:15:45]>> Are we talking hundreds and thousands though?

[00:15:47]>> Hundreds. You're talking about thousands. We're in a recession. We're in England in a recession. No one can thousands.

[00:15:55]>> Can't say cuz we're breaking the law.

[00:16:00]>> Yeah.

[00:16:10]Do you get nervous?

[00:16:11]>> Yes. Not nervous, but just butterflies in me stomach. And I think if everybody admits the truth, everybody does.

[00:16:22]>> I think it's the same as same as us. I think they've got nerves as well.

[00:16:32]Oh, definitely. She looks well.

[00:16:34]>> She's grown.

[00:16:39]>> Trottting is one of the most popular sports in the traveling community and can attract large crowds of up to 100 people who travel along with the race.

[00:16:49]>> This is the best spot. Best spot ever.

[00:16:52]Beautiful.

[00:16:54]And today they even have their own commentator known as Billy the Kid.

[00:16:59]>> I'm Doncaster's most wanted.

[00:17:03]>> What happens if the police turn up?

[00:17:06]>> Just tell them I'm the daddy.

[00:17:11]>> Ambrose's opposition have traveled up from Cambridge for a race that will be run over a two-mile stretch of the public highway.

[00:17:18]>> The cars will have to do what the best they can make. They'll have to get out the road. Obviously, it's a gypsies racing. This the way it goes. Cars will have to make room for the alters cuz the alters ain't moving over for no cars and we ain't.

[00:17:30]>> You got it. No, you got it. You got it now. Where's >> Let me back in order quick.

[00:17:35]>> Any sports very dangerous, >> boys. What are you watch?

[00:17:43]Get up this side. Get up this side. In this side.

[00:17:50]I think this will be very very good race. Very close race. Both very good horses.

[00:18:01]>> We are now off. We're racing.

[00:18:10]>> Now this is what you call racing.

[00:18:21]Manette your roses.

[00:18:25]It's a good opponent the other road.

[00:18:31]He goes better with it.

[00:18:43]So far led the race. How it ends is anybody's call, but at the minute or led from two and I honestly think we've got the race in the back.

[00:18:55]>> Ambrose has led the race from the start.

[00:18:58]But when a beer can dropped by one of the crowd hits the road, causing his horse to swerve, the race is back on.

[00:19:22]I'd say that's a clear win by Ambrose deer today.

[00:19:29]>> I want Roy.

[00:19:37]>> Come on. I'll treat my breakfast.

[00:19:39]>> I'll treat everybody.

[00:19:41]>> There's a bit of explanation.

[00:19:44]>> How was that for you? Oh, a good race.

[00:19:46]Very good race. And got a few quid and all. That's the main thing.

[00:19:50]>> Go in. You can't arrest you. YOU HAVE YOUR DAILY COST ACTION WHIP.

[00:19:54]>> The race may be over, but it's the beer can incident that dominates the postmatch analysis.

[00:20:00]>> But yes, we Philly did shy at something, but I didn't know what it was. Was that what you sher?

[00:20:06]>> Oh, he nearly caused me a big fool to lose the race. I can I can remember seeing a shine at something, but I didn't know what it was.

[00:20:13]>> Can John Smith. Oh, John Smith nearly ruled everything.

[00:20:18]>> Hey, the police is here.

[00:20:19]>> Go down the traffic.

[00:20:24]>> No, stay down.

[00:20:27]>> Generally, the law says that road racing is illegal due to it endangering not only the racers, but the public. But Ambrose and his fellow travelers see it as a vital tradition. Do >> you think you're breaking the law?

[00:20:40]>> Well, you're not breaking the law, are you? Horses. Horses was on the road before vehicles was. What you got to remember is horses go back for time.

[00:21:00]Many gypsies and travelers believe that the right to roam freely is fundamental to their way of life. But changes in the law mean they're often living under the threat of eviction.

[00:21:15]22-year-old Irish traveler Mary Law and her husband John John live on an illegal patch of land.

[00:21:22]>> If you ask him to say spaghetti bombs, he can't say it. Say it.

[00:21:25]>> Spaghetti bun legs, maid.

[00:21:27]>> Spaghetti ball of snails. Go on, say it, John. John, stop.

[00:21:32]>> Go on, say it.

[00:21:34]>> Say, say spaghetti bong nails.

[00:21:36]>> Skittle nails, mate.

[00:21:39]She's been moved on almost 50 times in the last year alone.

[00:21:43]>> That that food's on the boil now and you could just get a knock on the door. We don't know when that person's just going to come and say, "Well, look, here's your notice. You've got to go." So, it's just a matter of waiting really.

[00:21:57]>> Is there a plan for when you're going to where you going to move next?

[00:22:00]>> No, no one knows.

[00:22:03]Around 20 kids live on the illegal site, including Olivia.

[00:22:09]>> How long do you get to stay on any one camp?

[00:22:11]>> Well, sometimes there one day, two days, a week, two day, two weeks. We don't know. It depends.

[00:22:18]>> Do you like moving on all the time?

[00:22:20]>> No.

[00:22:25]>> Mary fully expects to be evicted very soon, but is determined to carry on her traveler lifestyle.

[00:22:32]Look at that. See that big gaming joint?

[00:22:35]That's the way the travelers do it.

[00:22:37]That's over 200 years old. That pop and the kettle. That's the bomb diggities of our bomb diggities. You don't get them anymore.

[00:22:47]People says, "Why can't you get a house?" No way would my Jimmy be living in a house. When you're in an estate or in a house, you're looking at people suffocating you and talking about you and whispering about you. Oh, look. The gypsies have a horse.

[00:23:01]So, you've got a cat, you've got a dog, or you've got a horse.

[00:23:15]Tomorrow, Danielle will be having her hen party and her fianceé Brendan will be appearing in court.

[00:23:25]If I go to jail tomorrow, I'm going to be quite angry over the weather coming up and Daniel's thing tomorrow, henu tomorrow. I can't say hi and goodbye. I can't see as much. I can't talk to as much. Yeah, which is it really big upsetting.

[00:23:43]>> Brendan believes that it's the lack of employment opportunities that pushes some Irish travelers into crime.

[00:23:50]If I knock on a door and ask for a job, once you hear my advice, that's it. just close the door. If these person went to the same house and talk, they get a job straight away. Straight away.

[00:24:01]>> How does that make you think?

[00:24:03]>> I'm upset. Really? Yeah.

[00:24:07]>> We're all the same people. We're all the same. English and Irish. We're the same people.

[00:24:14]>> Hopefully, this is not my last out point tonight. I should have a point tomorrow after court if they don't get jail.

[00:24:32]Prison is no good for nobody.

[00:24:35]>> Oh, it's a bad place. It's banged up all the time. There's no life.

[00:24:48]After Brendan's brief appearance in court, it looks like positive news for his immediate future. At least >> it's been put back till April now that now I'm going to town. I can have a good point. I'm glad it's been put back in April. Sometime in April.

[00:25:05]>> I'm happy now.

[00:25:06]>> I think we're happy now. Yeah.

[00:25:08]>> So, he's not going to the jail in the Hendu, but then the wedding is in May.

[00:25:13]So, that's another one to come >> a month before the wedding. I need your money.

[00:25:20]Nervous.

[00:25:21]That's all I can say. If he gets jail, he's done. I'm paying someone else to marry me.

[00:25:33]Up in Leeds, Mary Laather and her fellow travelers are being moved on yet again.

[00:25:39]The council have given them 24 hours to leave their illegal site. But husband John and the other men have scouted out a patch of council land just under a mile away and they've decided to go tonight.

[00:25:52]Quick, quick, quick.

[00:25:57]>> This is hectic. Everyone's panicking.

[00:26:01]Everyone's scared that they don't get in the same ground. Everyone's trying to best each other for to get there cuz there probably won't be enough room for everybody.

[00:26:09]Come on, Jimmy. Get in.

[00:26:12]Do you know what do you call this? A gypsy wash.

[00:26:16]Haven't got time for the wash and proper device.

[00:26:20]I'm ready when you are.

[00:26:23]See you.

[00:26:27]>> To be successful, the travelers have to move fast.

[00:26:31]>> Plan is that everyone's going to try and get into this camp before the police stops us.

[00:26:37]It just takes one phone call to ring the police. Then the police I'll come to the ground. If we're all in, they can't do nothing about it anyway. That's it.

[00:26:47]>> What's the worst thing that's ever happened when you've been in a convoy?

[00:26:51]>> Barricaded by the police.

[00:26:58]Here we go.

[00:27:01]Harry, we've lift off. This is it now on the right hand side. Just failed.

[00:27:06]This is the hard part.

[00:27:12]>> Why is this the difficult part?

[00:27:14]>> Because we can get reported.

[00:27:20]>> Get in. Get in. Get in. Get in. Get in.

[00:27:32]>> And we got lift off.

[00:27:35]Does this mean you get first pick of the spot?

[00:27:37]>> Yep. And I'm following me hubby cuz he seems to know where he's going. But if the other guys want to stay on that field, they're more than welcome to.

[00:27:45]>> They have a place to stay for tonight.

[00:27:48]But how long will it last?

[00:27:51]>> We'll be shifted off here in 2 days.

[00:27:53]>> How do you know?

[00:27:54]>> Houses built up areas.

[00:27:57]Two days we're off. Yeah, we'll get two days.

[00:28:02]Three if we're lucky.

[00:28:07]You know that people are going to be upset that you've pulled on tonight.

[00:28:11]>> Sorry. It's all I have to say.

[00:28:14]>> And I don't mean to be cheeky or rude, >> but there's nowhere else to go.

[00:28:21]>> Do you think people just automatically think travelers that means criminals?

[00:28:26]>> Yeah. Get painted with it.

[00:28:30]That brush. Yeah, you could say.

[00:28:34]It's the worst thing anyone's ever said to you, do you think?

[00:28:37]>> What's gone?

[00:28:41]>> John. John, >> you put on the gas.

[00:28:44]>> Gas is gone. You have to find the >> Oh, for [ __ ] sake.

[00:28:50]>> Sounds a bit chesty, believe it or not.

[00:28:54]>> It's been a tiring day for Mary and baby Jimmy.

[00:29:00]It's um quart 10. My baby have no hot water.

[00:29:07]>> No gas, no electric.

[00:29:15]>> Disgusting. Hate it.

[00:31:42]Happy birthday to my happy birthday to you.

[00:31:51]>> In a few months time, if his current court case doesn't end in prison, 15-year-old Danielle will be old enough to marry her fianceé Brendan. They met a year ago at a friend's wedding.

[00:32:03]>> When I first saw her, I just shocked. I was like, "Nah, I'm not getting her."

[00:32:07]And obviously, I just got to know a bit more and I asked her and she's I'm just so happy I've done it with her now.

[00:32:13]She's loved my life.

[00:32:16]>> What's your dream wedding, Danielle?

[00:32:18]>> Big. A big wedding. A good night on a disco.

[00:32:23]>> My wedding.

[00:32:24]>> And what do you want, Brandon?

[00:32:25]>> My wedding. And I tell the truth, I want a couple of balls and I want a good fight at the end of the night. That's no harm. A couple of scraps, a couple of drinks at my wedding. I call that proper wedding.

[00:32:41]When it comes to courtship, the couple abide by strict traveler rules, which say until you're married, you must be chaperowned at all times.

[00:32:50]>> Yeah. There you go. Thank you. There you go.

[00:33:00]Come on, pick out a tray.

[00:33:02]Just >> pick anything. Yeah.

[00:33:04]>> One of these.

[00:33:05]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:33:07]>> Even when it's an intimate dinner together, Danielle's 13year-old sister, Helina, has to come along.

[00:33:14]>> Are you ever going to give me a break, me and her, once in a life?

[00:33:16]>> Yeah. No. Why?

[00:33:18]>> You shouldn't even be sitting next to each other.

[00:33:21]>> But I'll give you this day off.

[00:33:22]>> You give a day off?

[00:33:26]That's me.

[00:33:28]>> Thank you very much. She always keeps an eye on us.

[00:33:32]>> She's no harm.

[00:33:34]>> She is harm.

[00:33:36]>> There's no harm.

[00:33:37]>> I can't get kissed sometimes.

[00:33:39]>> There's no wrong.

[00:33:41]>> It's disgusting when people kiss. It really is.

[00:33:44]>> Give me a kiss.

[00:33:48]>> Disgusting.

[00:33:50]Although Brendan goes along with the rules of his engagement, when it comes to the law of the land, he's less convinced.

[00:33:57]>> I goes up town, I had a couple of points. I had a scrap mean English person. I get locked up >> and he gets he walks free.

[00:34:07]>> I got drilled four times overall.

[00:34:09]>> Over the [ __ ] >> Yeah.

[00:34:10]>> I got drilled four times and then four people got let off.

[00:34:13]>> Yeah.

[00:34:14]>> Of being a traveler. That's what it is.

[00:34:16]>> And you get blamed for things you don't do.

[00:34:18]>> Someone's my fault. Yeah, >> I won't lie. He's not He's no angel.

[00:34:22]>> I'm not a father. I'm a lover.

[00:34:24]>> Mhm.

[00:34:25]>> And that's all this goes.

[00:34:36]>> You shall not take the Lord's name in vain. Number three, remember to keep holy the Lord's day.

[00:34:44]Number four, honor your father and your mother. Number five, do you shall not kill.

[00:34:53]>> It's the day of Khloe's first holy communion. One of the most important rituals in any young Irish traveler's life.

[00:35:02]>> What do you think God thinks when you do something bad?

[00:35:06]>> When you do something bad or when people do something bad, um, God forgives you.

[00:35:14]After the ceremony, mom will be taking Chloe to visit her dad in prison.

[00:35:20]>> He did try everything to get out for it, but he just kept turning them down. It's very unfair cuz it's her special day and it's Father's Day and it's going to be horrible because he's not there. But what can you do? He wouldn't have it. So, no choice but to take her in there.

[00:35:41]>> Chloe's dress has been specially made.

[00:35:43]Five separate underskirts have been used to create the fairy tale sticky out effect she wanted. Oh, >> [ __ ] sake. Come on. Come on, Chloe.

[00:35:53]>> Oh my god. I need it.

[00:35:55]>> Chloe, just keep the front of the dress up, Chloe. I don't care about underskirtts.

[00:36:00]I'm going to kill you. I promise.

[00:36:02]Gariam.

[00:36:03]>> What's happened?

[00:36:04]>> The unknown >> cuz mommy stamped on me.

[00:36:11]>> Oh, honest to God. This sweat is pumping out me over it.

[00:36:19]>> I'll push it in. You color it in.

[00:36:22]>> Squeezing.

[00:36:28]>> Jeez.

[00:36:29]>> Are you nervous, Chloe?

[00:36:31]>> Yeah.

[00:36:32]>> Are you nervous?

[00:36:34]>> Yeah. Really?

[00:36:36]>> You'll be fine.

[00:36:48]Will you wait, Chloe, for God's sake, Mr. Umbrella?

[00:36:57]>> There are 10 other girls having their holy communion today. But Chloe is the only traveler.

[00:37:21]After receiving the body of Christ, there's still one person Chloe needs to see.

[00:37:28]>> Just try to now come to see her dad to be honest with you. see them because it's going to be very emotional, very upsetting, but it has to be done and she has to see it.

[00:37:43]>> There's not long before the start of visiting ours.

[00:37:48]>> It's very difficult to be on the line on to drive with the big huge dress. It's very hard to get to the to the girth stick. Can you not go straight? I wonder. Can you go straight ahead?

[00:38:01]>> Saint.

[00:38:03]>> And with the town center roads blocked for a parade, it looks like it's going to take longer than mom anticipated.

[00:38:09]>> I'm a little bit worried if we're more than 15 minutes late, they won't let us in. But I think under the circumstances on the what day it is that they will leave us in. Oh, please Jesus, man. Now what the seriously this is just why is this happening today of all days?

[00:38:31]Why?

[00:38:35]I bet you he thinks we're not coming.

[00:38:43]>> Oh, you fail.

[00:38:55]30 minutes.

[00:39:00]>> The traffic there was a big dression on the way and that's why I'm late. I'm never late.

[00:39:04]>> You just took them back.

[00:39:06]>> Please, can you just ring them and explain? Please, love. 5 minutes even just so we can see her on.

[00:39:11]>> No, I can't ring up what they say to me.

[00:39:14]My managers that go. Is there anyone to awaken even?

[00:39:19]>> No.

[00:39:21]>> After arriving 20 minutes late, Dad has been taken back to his cell.

[00:39:26]>> Come on. You ain't going in. Chloe, how disgusting is that prison? Will you Jesus God, man? How can they not have a heart looking at the joy? Look at her.

[00:39:41]Look.

[00:39:44]It's okay, princess. So, I'll rebook it.

[00:39:47]All right.

[00:39:48]>> I promise you I will. Right.

[00:39:51]>> When?

[00:39:52]>> I'll book it in the rebook it in the morning.

[00:39:55]The whole day is absolutely ruined.

[00:40:00]Look at her.

[00:40:02]It's really horrible day and it's meant to be the happiest day of our lives.

[00:40:08]Khloe's dad is nearing the end of his sentence, but it'll be another two weeks before he gets to see Khloe.

[00:44:40]For hundreds of years, traveler families have battled to keep their ancient traditions alive. But it's a way of life that can put them in defiance of the law.

[00:44:51]>> I don't think you should change the culture for nobody. The way I look at it, why should we change our culture?

[00:44:58]>> Cuz people don't understand it.

[00:45:09]Irish traveler Danielle is determined to live her life in a traditional way. And at just 15 years old, she's preparing for her hen party.

[00:45:20]>> These are shot glasses. So you'll have them around there. is that and probably the girls will be taking the shots. I won't be I'll be getting watched all night.

[00:45:30]My mommy made this. She basically made it and she put all these diamonds on it.

[00:45:36]All these tachy things. And then we got lights them little boxes. But I have to hide the battery packs. They're very, very hard to hide. So just put these into the side in it. And we're going to bring spare batteries in case these fell out.

[00:45:52]And what are you looking forward to most about married life?

[00:45:55]>> Just being with him. Being allowed to go off with him.

[00:45:59]>> I don't know. I'm kind of nervous >> in a way without being without me mom cuz I don't know what it's like.

[00:46:07]Don't know. But obviously you're going to be scared first. But I trust Brennan and like I'm sure like I picked out like a proper boy that's going to like look after me and protect me and do the best for me. As long as he does his best, I'll be happy.

[00:46:28]>> Danielle's dream is to get married on her 16th birthday, but whether she achieves that dream depends on her fianceé, 20-year-old Brendan, staying out of jail.

[00:46:40]Over the past few years, he's been in and out of prison.

[00:46:48]>> I think the police hate him or been in trouble. That's what I think. But the police are really bothered about me. I hate the police and they hate me and I don't care tell the truth.

[00:46:59]I man doing this job like that and the police is chasing them down. I think that's bang out of order. That's what I think that is. I think I give Charlie a chance in life and it gives them a chance of doing things and they are good people.

[00:47:12]>> Some of us anyway.

[00:47:17]>> Tell me what you do for work.

[00:47:19]>> For work I do trees and scrap and tack and everything like that. And obviously and obviously I do things as well things to make money and know like that. Yeah.

[00:47:31]>> Have you ever worked in an open?

[00:47:33]>> No. No. I rubbed the office.

[00:47:38]>> Since getting engaged to Danielle, Brendan has been trying to stay on the straight and narrow.

[00:47:43]>> Yeah, it's quite me down. Yeah, big time. I'm a dad really. Before I met her, I was a wild child. I tell the truth. Very wild. I was going to town messing about. You know what I mean?

[00:47:55]>> And I met her.

[00:47:56]>> Now I get married. I got my woman.

[00:47:58]That's it.

[00:48:01]But despite his good intentions, he currently has a court case pending for receiving stolen goods. If he goes to prison, his and Danielle's wedding plans will have to be put on hold.

[00:48:13]>> How are you feeling about his court case?

[00:48:15]>> I'm feeling very nervous. Kind of like yesterday and the day before it wasn't really getting to me, but now it's getting to me. You are feeling nervous.

[00:48:26]Don't know. I don't know how it's going to go. What about if he goes to prison?

[00:48:30]Will the Hendy go ahead?

[00:48:31]>> It will go ahead, but it won't be the same.

[00:48:35]>> It'll be different.

[00:48:37]It'll be different in a way. Everyone will still be there, but it would be different.

[00:48:56]In a few days time, 8-year-old Irish traveler Chloe will be celebrating her first Holy Communion.

[00:49:03]>> And you got a face.

[00:49:06]>> But one member of the family won't be there. Her dad is currently serving 9 months in Strangeways prison for reckless driving.

[00:49:16]>> Hello. One minute. Put her on. Give it to Chloe.

[00:49:19]>> But despite being inside, he does speak to Chloe and her sister Nicole regularly.

[00:49:25]Hello.

[00:49:27]How are you?

[00:49:29]>> What did you have for dinner?

[00:49:33]>> It's estimated there are up to 850 Irish travelers in prison. A hugely disproportionate amount compared to the number of Irish travelers in Britain.

[00:49:43]>> How many times have he been in prison?

[00:49:45]>> This is the second time that this will be the last time that he he'll be going away.

[00:49:54]said it yourself even it's been the longest nine months of me life.

[00:49:59]Definitely.

[00:50:00]>> Do you think it's something about traveler women which makes them more able to cope with those situations?

[00:50:05]>> It'd be something like what they've seen when they were growing up, another family member or something and you see them going in and out of prison.

[00:50:15]>> Mommy, >> hurry up. Daddy has no credit.

[00:50:19]>> Love you.

[00:50:22]Up in Liverpool, dress maker of choice to the gypsy and traveler community, Thelma Medine, has been commissioned to make Chloe an extra special communion dress. I'm a bit apprehensive about these coming because this little girl's dad is in prison and he can't attend the communion and it is Father's Day tomorrow as well. So, it's quite upsetting for the little girl that her dad's not going to be there. But what she's going to do is go to the prison in her dress and go and see her daddy on Father's Day.

[00:50:55]>> Today will be the first time Chloe gets to see Thelma's creation.

[00:51:01]>> Ready? Come on.

[00:51:11]>> Deafness. Daddy's little princess.

[00:51:13]>> Yes.

[00:51:14]>> What's your favorite thing? The butterflies and the swirls.

[00:51:17]>> And the swirls as well. Yeah.

[00:51:18]>> And the diamonds.

[00:51:19]>> And the diamonds. Where are you going to go and see your daddy tomorrow?

[00:51:23]>> Strange ways.

[00:51:25]>> Imagine when you go in there to see your dad and it'll just be glittering all over the place, won't it? Hey, cuz they're all sad in there, aren't they?

[00:51:32]And then when you go in all happy in your lovely dress, you'll cheer everybody up. They'll all be Oh, they'll be go, "Oh, look at there, won't they?

[00:51:47]It's gorgeous.

[00:51:50]>> You know when you go through them things in strange way where they put it over you to see if you got anything on yet.

[00:51:54]You're going to go beep beep beep beep beep on you with all the diamonds.

[00:51:58]>> They said that they might do a special search on the building. Why is that?

[00:52:01]>> I think it's just to check if I have anything hidden underneath the on the skirt.

[00:52:06]>> I tell you what, you could hide loads under there, couldn't you? I imagine what you could get on to there. Be fantastic, wouldn't you?

[00:52:13]>> Loads of cake.

[00:52:14]>> Loads of cake. Yeah. With files in them, >> couldn't you?

[00:52:18]>> No way.

[00:52:36]Really fast.

[00:52:39]Romany Gypsy Ambrose Senior and his son are in training for the trap and horse road racing season.

[00:52:46]They're >> like an athlete. You got to look after them.

[00:52:49]>> Although it's been a popular activity for generations amongst gypsies and travelers. Racing horses on the open road is now against the law.

[00:52:58]>> Hi mate. We're just working these horses out. Oh, >> not racing.

[00:53:03]>> Not racing. No, >> we never do race.

[00:53:06]People, please make a lie of you.

[00:53:11]>> So, what we do now?

[00:53:13]>> We're now we're actually going to the start. It's a schooling race. He's like an athlete going for track and jogging.

[00:53:19]You got to go and see his track.

[00:53:24]>> Do you worry about them when you're watching them?

[00:53:26]>> Yes.

[00:53:27]>> It still is dangerous. A child falling off a bike. Easy repar.

[00:53:32]>> One of the dangers is police cuz the police don't realize they just pull the car straight in front. Our horse can't do emergency stop like a car can.

[00:53:42]>> Never seen any nasty.

[00:53:44]>> Yeah. Throw a shoe and went down a mud.

[00:53:49]>> While two of the trap drivers are experienced, for the third driver, it's his first time out on the road. with him being a green horse and he a green driver.

[00:54:00]>> He just ain't got fully out of it.

[00:54:06]>> Having a bit of an accident here. You all right?

[00:54:20]>> Give me that bastard.

[00:54:25]Yeah, you find it excited, don't you?

[00:54:33]>> We nearly had an accident.

[00:54:37]>> Yeah.

[00:54:37]>> When we seen the big lorry coming, I expected him going on and as I was slowing down, he was doing the same for me. He was trying to let me slow on. He was wanting the job behind.

[00:54:49]>> So, is that a bit of a hairy moment?

[00:54:51]>> Yes, it is. when you get in such big lries like that.

[00:54:59]>> Although riding a horse on the public highway isn't illegal, racing horses and obstructing traffic is against the law.

[00:55:06]But for Ambrose, it's a matter of interpretation.

[00:55:11]>> What's the problem today?

[00:55:14]>> A problem.

[00:55:15]>> Well, that's what he's doing here.

[00:55:16]>> What a complaint we not jogging off and down. You had a complaint this time of day.

[00:55:21]>> I'm racing. Yeah.

[00:55:23]>> How many times you been here?

[00:55:24]>> I know.

[00:55:26]>> It's a Wednesday. You know we're not racing.

[00:55:28]>> We've had called today because they've said there's horses running side by side.

[00:55:32]>> Okay.

[00:55:32]>> Yeah. Overtaken.

[00:55:34]>> Every racing, every phone call we get saying the horses side by side.

[00:55:39]>> We haven't been side by side racing all the way down. I've just been schooler.

[00:55:42]>> We know if we get a complaint, we'll always come down and see what crack is.

[00:55:45]If we break it law, we will also always prosecute him. You know, our take on it is a safety aspect on a road. It's not safe. If a horse drop into a ditch, there's ditches both sides, somebody will die.

[00:55:56]>> Thank you.

[00:55:56]>> All right. See you later.

[00:55:58]>> They're doing the job. I ain't picking them criticizing them, but just we want to carry on and do what we're doing.

[00:56:08]>> If he can avoid the local constabularary, Ambrose will be taking part in the first race of the trotting season that will take place here in a few weeks time. You obviously bump into them quite often >> when we're down just working out. We never get a problem. But for whatever reason today we're down, we're going to have to start coming a bit earlier in the morning.

[01:42:32]For centuries, beauty was the exclusive preserve of gypsy women.

[01:42:39]But the modern traveler man also feels the pressure to look good.

[01:42:48]Gussy is a 13-year-old Irish traveler who takes great pride in his appearance.

[01:42:58]>> Describe your style to me.

[01:43:01]>> Handsome, good-looking, cute, which is the most girls says.

[01:43:08]Pretty much everything.

[01:43:10]>> What do you think?

[01:43:11]>> I've gone for ages, but just can't be asked.

[01:43:20]Are you quite successful with the ladies?

[01:43:23]>> I am. Yeah. I have too many already.

[01:43:25]>> How many have you got?

[01:43:26]>> I have about I have aboutund and something all over the place.

[01:43:32]>> 10 and something.

[01:43:35]>> Lost I really lost count. Can't really remember.

[01:43:43]Cool.

[01:43:49]>> That's 25. Thank you. Brilliant.

[01:43:53]>> Hi.

[01:44:04]>> On the morning of their first holy communion, Nan Girl and her cousins are sacrificing themselves at the altar of beauty.

[01:44:13]Please >> n girl's dress did not arrive until 2:30 in the morning, putting the beautifification process seriously behind schedule.

[01:44:23]>> So, you stayed on to help us last night.

[01:44:25]>> Yeah. It wasn't for us.

[01:44:27]>> Add more diamond for them or repair the dress. They need to be ready for today.

[01:44:33]>> Half an hour before the ceremony is due to begin.

[01:44:36]>> There is still much work to be done.

[01:44:40]>> 25 minutes.

[01:44:42]What time is it?

[01:44:42]>> 25 minutes to go.

[01:44:44]>> Keep your eyes still from me.

[01:44:45]>> Mom, I can't do it. Mommy. Mommy. I don't want >> I'm begging of you, aren't you?

[01:44:54]>> Beautiful.

[01:44:57]Beauty is pain. Meant to be at the church at 12:00 and me a me. She's all stressed out. And then n girl is crying here and make her even more STRESSED OUT.

[01:45:09]>> I'M NOT GOING. I'M NOT GOING.

[01:45:14]>> Having spent thousands of pounds on dresses and over 24 hours in preparation, the girls are still not ready.

[01:45:22]>> And the service begins without them. And may all of us share the body and the blood of Christ.

[01:45:31]>> Christ Jesus and the body's word.

[01:45:46]Come on quick. I'm thinking going on this way because there's two shoes.

[01:45:52]>> Keep going.

[01:45:55]For us, for our salvation, he came down by Mary.

[01:46:10]>> Though significantly late, the girls are in time to receive Jesus into their life. Just >> the body of Christ.

[01:46:21]The body of Christ.

[01:46:27]The body of Christ.

[01:46:31]May almighty God bless you. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Our mass is ended. So let us go in peace.

[01:46:44]>> We never had so much blubber in the place, haven't we, girls? Hey.

[01:46:48]>> Yeah. The priest give ME A BODY of Christ.

[01:46:52]>> I got Jesus in me.

[01:46:55]>> Have a lovely day, girls. God bless you.

[01:46:57]You look wonderful.

[01:46:59]>> What do you think about the dresses they choose to take their communion in?

[01:47:02]>> That's them. Uh and we accept that. Uh you know, they they they they love to express themselves in this way. But what they're attempting to do as I see it is trying to bring out that specialness, you know, so that people look at that and said, "Hey, you know, that's that's special. Like it or not, it's special, >> right? And this to all the girls out there, if you're ever in Coventry, don't feel shy to ask me chat a chat of me or anything. And if you want to ask me out or anything, feel free. I'm a slightly be it.

[01:47:42]>> Thank you.

[01:47:44]>> He took over me. He took over.

[01:47:45]>> The competition to look the most beautiful is as fierce as predicted.

[01:47:49]>> Are you happy?

[01:47:51]>> I'm very happy.

[01:47:53]>> I feel like that I'm the prettiest in the world. Cuz people want to go, "Oh, I'll take your picture. You're so nice.

[01:47:59]I'll take your picture. I want to take your picture."

[01:48:02]And I feel like cuz I'm the loveliest and I feel like >> you're in me way. You're blocking ME SPOTLIGHT.

[01:48:09]>> HEY, I'M NOT DOING GET me in it, too.

[01:48:11]Don't get one.

[01:48:12]>> All right. So, you want to be the best.

[01:48:16]>> Actually, me.

[01:48:17]>> No, actually me.

[01:48:18]>> No. Me. Look at you. Look at you.

[01:48:21]>> Look at you. Look at you. Look at you.

[01:48:23]The debate remains unresolved, but having changed into their second glamorous outfit of the day, the girls are ready to do battle on the dance floor instead.

[01:48:55]and like there. And then I go like that.

[01:48:57]Like then there >> and it's like And then it's like that.

[01:49:01]And then then it's like No, it's like then it's like A traveler girl's life is mapped out from an early age.

[01:49:35]>> How often do you clean your doll's house, Boo?

[01:49:37]>> Um, I clean my dollhouse sometimes. I do.

[01:49:43]>> Come on.

[01:49:46]But Boo's father is planning to cash in on Gypsy Girl's other preoccupation, fashion.

[01:49:52]>> My mom, it's empty now.

[01:49:55]>> In one month's time, 34 yearear-old English traveler Ronnie is going to stage a beauty contest for travelers.

[01:50:03]>> The competitions for the girls to come, a modeling competition. All they have to do is walk around in a circle. You know, we'll have some judges there, some proper judges and everything for them to see. they can judge them. It's not up to me to do it. And I mean, the winner obviously will go on and and hopefully be a star.

[01:50:22]You know, today he's looking at a potential venue.

[01:50:33]But mindful of prejudice, Ronnie has opted to be completely honest about the nature of his event.

[01:50:39]>> This is to find the next gypsy superstar.

[01:50:43]>> Right. Okay.

[01:50:44]>> Right.

[01:50:45]>> Um, what we're looking to do is find a gypsy traveling person.

[01:50:49]>> Yeah. Who's who who who we're going to try and make into a star. Yeah.

[01:50:52]>> Okie do. Um, >> no qums about that. Have you?

[01:50:56]>> No, not really. As long as everyone behaves, >> right? Well, it's not for nothing else.

[01:51:00]It's not for a bare knuckle fight. It is actually for this purpose. Right.

[01:51:04]>> Do you have um a camera room?

[01:51:06]>> Yeah.

[01:51:07]>> Right. cuz I I'll have to sit in there cuz if then then if there's any sort of like if if I think there's someone I don't want to be in here, >> then I I will tell them no, you know, from the camera room, you know what I mean?

[01:51:18]>> All right. Um the only thing um as part of our license, we've got to give notifications to the place about any events.

[01:51:24]>> Yeah. 28 days in advance. So I will need to run it by them first.

[01:51:27]>> Do you want me to leave your deposit now?

[01:51:29]>> Uh no, it's all right. I'll come I'll come back to you. There's no there's no point until it's all 100% confirmed.

[01:51:33]Right. Okay then.

[01:55:21]The traveler look has become synonymous with fairy tale extravagance and sequined splendor. But the ever more outlandish designs are driven by a delicate game of oneupmanship.

[01:55:34]Every single one of them makes an effort. You know, from the oldest woman there to the youngest kid makes an effort. And it's all about how nice your outfit is. They want to just go that step further. I mean, they've got a lot of competition because everybody does the same thing. So, they've got to be a little bit more outrageous than the next one to make them stand out.

[01:55:55]For a traveler girl, the pressure to look good starts young.

[01:56:01]24 hours from her first holy communion, 9-year-old Irish traveler Nan Girl is preparing to receive the Lord into her life for the first time at her salon of choice.

[01:56:14]>> Lady Gaga la.

[01:56:20]>> How important is it that you look good?

[01:56:23]very very bad cuz it's going to be loads of people to do and it's important for me to look good cuz I don't want to be like oh my god look at there she's so ugly.

[01:56:33]>> What would make you look ugly?

[01:56:35]>> Ugly dress, ugly shoes, ugly hair, ugly makeup, ugly spray tan patches all over you. Like it's important to look good when you make what you mean. It's important to look good for God. God wants to see you looking good.

[01:56:50]Nanuel will take her first holy communion alongside three cousins.

[01:56:56]>> The competition to look the best will be intense.

[01:57:00]>> Who do you think is going to look best?

[01:57:02]>> Me.

[01:57:12]>> The first cousin to celebrate Holy Communion alongside Nanuel is 9-year-old Margaret.

[01:57:19]So why is the first communion so important to traveler girls? Oh, >> it's really really really big day.

[01:57:25]>> Cuz it's a really big day. A really really such a big day.

[01:57:28]>> It's really important to us.

[01:57:30]>> It's really important to us.

[01:57:31]>> Receiving Jesus Christ.

[01:57:33]>> Receiving Jesus Christ.

[01:57:36]>> And so why is it so important for our Catholic?

[01:57:40]>> Cuz we're a Catholic. That's what we that's what we have to do.

[01:57:44]>> So what's going to be your favorite bit of your communion on Sunday? and my dress.

[01:57:50]>> Receiving Jesus Christ.

[01:57:51]>> I am receiving Jesus Christ.

[01:57:55]>> One, two, three.

[01:58:02]>> Margaret has decided to contrast her brilliant white dress with a subtle shade of brown.

[01:58:16]You think you're going to look the best on your community?

[01:58:18]>> Yeah, I'm going to be the best like a princess. They're going to be likely sisters.

[01:58:25]>> That's not very nice thing to say.

[01:58:30]>> These ones, of course.

[01:58:33]>> So, Margaret, is it expensive to get your nails done?

[01:58:36]>> No, not really. They're not half her anyway.

[01:58:39]>> So, your mom wants you to look the best.

[01:58:41]Yeah, that's what she said to the dress breakers as well. She said, "Make sure."

[01:58:46]>> Do you think you will?

[01:58:47]>> Yeah.

[01:58:49]>> So, how are traveler girls different customers to your other customers?

[01:58:54]>> They seem from a very young age, they like to look nice. They like to have nails. They like to have a tan. They like the hair doing. They just really look after theelves. Really look after theelves. And it's not just like adults.

[01:59:08]It's like young girls. It's bizarre really.

[01:59:14]>> What are you looking at?

[01:59:18]>> Nan girl and Margaret will share their communion day with her elder cousin Bridget. With the ceremony just 10 days away, she is trying on her bespoke dress for the first time.

[01:59:33]I think everyone chase you.

[01:59:48]>> Yeah, they're lovely. Do you like a paj?

[01:59:51]>> Yeah, they really really like this.

[01:59:53]>> Really, really nice.

[01:59:54]>> Yeah.

[01:59:55]>> Ooh, shiny.

[01:59:57]>> It's quite a short skirt. Would you be allowed to wear that in church?

[02:00:00]>> On that one?

[02:00:01]>> Yeah, I always wear shorts underneath.

[02:00:02]Um, skirts like this, shorts on, >> do you?

[02:00:08]>> Yeah.

[02:00:08]>> So, you'd never wear a skirt this short without a pair of shorts underneath?

[02:00:12]>> No.

[02:00:13]>> Why is that?

[02:00:15]>> Um, because we have respect for ourselves.

[02:00:18]>> She is 12y old. Yeah. But she got to understand us travelers can wear short skirts. You know what I mean? But as long as you have respect for that be very very high standards, high morals.

[02:00:28]You know what I mean?

[02:00:29]>> Shorts don't need it.

[02:00:29]>> She always wears shorts that go there.

[02:00:31]You know what I mean? You're only showing leg. That's all she's showing in shirts. You know what I mean?

[02:00:35]>> It's not It's not like it's not going to half naked. I mean, it's only short skirts like short to front, long to back.

[02:00:42]>> So you don't see it as provocative. What do you see it as?

[02:00:44]>> See, she thought nice.

[02:00:46]>> It's nice.

[02:00:48]>> Cuz that thought that thought doesn't even enter your mind.

[02:00:50]>> Doesn't even enter my mind. No. Really really don't.

[02:01:02]Although the majority of gypsies and travelers have now settled in permanent homes, many still spend their lives on the road traveling throughout Europe.

[02:01:12]But whether at home or abroad, the need to look good is still paramount.

[02:01:26]Bride to be Dolores Quilligan is a 21-year-old Irish traveler who takes the gypsy look to new levels of luxury.

[02:01:34]>> We've been in every country in the world. We're driving down long sunny Spain in the beach and at the moment in England and Ireland, it's raining and snow.

[02:01:42]>> Yeah.

[02:01:43]>> So, what girl wouldn't like to live our life?

[02:01:46]Dolores and her family have been traveling through Spain for the past 6 months following her father's business dealings, but she's about to return home to Rathqual in Ireland for the wedding season, hoping hers will be the most extravagant the town has ever seen.

[02:02:02]>> In Rakil, everyone goes away and it's the only time of the year that everybody be in Rakil. Like we're in Spain, there's some people in Italy, they're all over the place. So, it's the only time they meet back in Raquel.

[02:02:12]>> When was the last time you saw your fianceé?

[02:02:14]>> About a month ago. He's in uh Switzerland.

[02:02:17]>> What's he doing in Switzerland?

[02:02:18]>> He's a sales a salesman. Door knocking really.

[02:02:25]>> Up to 10 weddings a week can take place in Wrath Keel to ensure that it is her dress that creates the biggest impression. Dolores has been exploring some unusual creative avenues.

[02:02:37]>> I wanted something different. I didn't want something anyone already had like flowers or stars or tulips. I didn't want anything to do with a flower cuz everybody in Rak have flowers. So it's a cat.

[02:02:50]The top of the dress will be a whole cat coming around. The tail's coming around your neck and coming down here. The crown will be the same. And on the back of the veil is the same two cats. And the dressing is all cot. We're all the same cats. So instead of it have a cat theme.

[02:03:05]>> Yeah, a cat.

[02:03:08]>> The fairy tale celebrations will begin the night before the nuptules. a further opportunity to push the boundaries of fashion.

[02:03:16]>> She said to me, "What about a palm tree and a pineapple?" Palm tree is starting from here and coming the whole way up and it's coming out in my shoulder. All the the leaves for the palm trees coming out my shoulder. My dress is going to be proper metal of a pineapple and like the Spanish pineapples and all that kind of like Spanish. The tour was going to be like Spanish and it'll be a big mass of pineapple and then the dress will be all coming down all cinorita like Spanish cinorita and pineapple and I'm going to have a big pineapple thing for my hair like matching and that's really it like and that's the dress.

[02:04:03]Dolores has charged gypsy dress maker of choice Thelma Medine with turning her creative vision into a reality.

[02:04:10]Although she's made dresses for gypsies from far and wide, it's the Irish travelers like Dolores who bring her the most colorful ideas.

[02:04:19]>> Irish travelers are a lot more flamboyant than the English travelers.

[02:04:23]It's all to do with pride and it's it looks it's it's like that thing of look at us, we're all we're doing well. You know, my husband does well. He looks after me and this is what he can do. He can dress us like this. Cuz you know, the outfits aren't cheap and if there's ever an unusual request, it's where you sort of sit back and go, "Oh, right.

[02:04:41]Okay." And then you do it. That's usually off an Irish traveler who wants to have something but nobody else has ever had.

[02:07:13]One person planning to enter the beauty contest is Irish traveler Sammy Joe. Age just 16. Her looks are already a closely guarded family treasure. Boys are strictly off limits.

[02:07:27]>> Do you have my phone?

[02:07:28]>> No. No. I can't have them cuz normally dad would be afraid of us talking to boys on the phone. So she's the loud phone but I'm not. She's the loud one.

[02:07:39]>> But they're just a bit strict with me >> because um >> she's the oldest.

[02:07:43]>> Yeah, I found the phone. She was talking to boys on it.

[02:07:46]>> No, it's just me dad. My dad's a bit he doesn't want me to go and he doesn't want me to talk to boys and it's just me brother. He's more strict than me dad and he just doesn't want me.

[02:07:55]Even though for now she's being kept reluctantly under wraps, planning what she might wear at the next wedding is a constant preoccupation.

[02:08:04]>> It's a bit revealing socks.

[02:08:08]>> What?

[02:08:10]>> Why do you want to flatten it?

[02:08:11]>> Yeah.

[02:08:12]>> So, you're not allowed a phone?

[02:08:13]>> No.

[02:08:15]>> Your brother let you wear a >> No, wait. He hasn't even seen this yet.

[02:08:20]>> Is keeping up appearances quite important.

[02:08:22]>> Yeah. So if I seen a traveler girl I haven't seen in ages. Yeah. And she's like a show like not dressed nice and not fixed like her is all up and and she's not dressed fixed like I say oh she's the very bad case and see how the girls going around. She's a holy show now. Look how how bad she is. That's how people talk about you. So you have to get fixed proper when you're going off.

[02:08:41]You know what I mean?

[02:08:42]>> You can't go like when travel guys are cleaning up. Even when they clean up even have to have jammers on. and they'll try and put open a belt and try and fix herself while they're cleaning up case and travelers.

[02:08:56]>> Although the traveler look is one that exudes self-confidence underneath the glamorous outfits, not all gypsy girls are so assured.

[02:09:05]>> She's older than me. Like she'd wear shorts, really short shot shorts, but I wouldn't wear that. I'd rather cover myself up in tracksuits, things like that.

[02:09:16]And I can't show the top her cuz I was shame. People would be looking at me.

[02:09:21]But she would like she can talk to boys. I can't.

[02:09:27]It's too shameful. I probably shiver and shake everything.

[02:09:41]On her way home from Spain, Irish traveler Dolores is stopping off in Liverpool to see her dresses for the first time.

[02:09:51]>> What looks best, palm tree or pineapple?

[02:09:53]I don't want pineapple to look better than palm tree. Do you? She's the bride.

[02:09:57]>> I think that one looks best.

[02:09:58]>> Do you?

[02:09:59]>> Definitely.

[02:10:01]>> I think you need some more diamonds on it.

[02:10:12]Do you like it?

[02:10:13]>> Everything is unreal.

[02:10:25]>> Is it what you thought it'd be?

[02:10:27]>> It's more.

[02:10:28]>> Right.

[02:10:30]>> It's really nice, isn't it?

[02:10:32]>> It's really, really lovely.

[02:10:35]I was so worried about his wedding dress.

[02:10:38]>> What do you think they'll say when they see that one then? It's going to be hard to be, isn't it?

[02:10:41]>> I hope so.

[02:10:46]>> Amazing.

[02:10:46]>> It's lovely, isn't it?

[02:10:47]>> Everything.

[02:10:54]>> Oh, thanks for that love.

[02:11:02]Oh.

[02:11:04]Yeah. Is it how you pictured it?

[02:11:07]>> More.

[02:11:09]Have >> you any ever seen a wedding dress like this?

[02:11:11]>> No.

[02:11:12]>> I'd say it took a long time to do, did it?

[02:11:14]>> Yeah. Days.

[02:11:17]It was hard enough getting it to look like a cat. You nearly had a dog.

[02:11:23]>> You just pulled that diamond though.

[02:11:24]>> Yeah.

[02:11:27]>> Oh, she looks lovely, doesn't she?

[02:11:30]>> Sparkling. Diamond is a girl's best friend.

[02:11:35]>> It's fabulous. It really is.

[02:11:48]Dolores's extravagant cat theme doesn't end with her dress. Jill Broadfoot has been charged with making sure the cake hits the same lavish heights.

[02:12:02]The look we're going for is blingy and over the top and in your face. Yeah. And it looks really nice.

[02:12:10]Actually, it always look better than what you think it will. You think, don't know about that. When we first talking about like cat on a cake, it's not going to look good, is it? But I think it will work well.

[02:12:22]The cat cake will eventually rise 10 tiers into the air and will be flanked by 14 smaller versions. It's one of the most expensive cakes Jill has ever made.

[02:12:33]But with such grand designs, appearances can be deceptive. This cake is actually polyyrene.

[02:12:44]So there you go. That's one of our secrets out.

[02:12:49]The big ones are all polyyrene. They're all fake. All the girls want big cakes.

[02:12:53]They want bigger, better, whatever. You know, the more outrageous the better.

[02:12:57]Um, as and the way to do it is polyyrene. I mean, the things they go for, the things that they come up with sometimes they they wouldn't work in cake. So, you have to have polyyrene involved in it. You'll see people walking out as they do with a cake which they think's real and it's not. It's polyyrene. So, that's quite funny.

[02:13:29]Irish traveler Sammy Joe will soon be competing in a traveler only beauty contest.

[02:13:36]>> I like that one.

[02:13:38]>> Today she's come to purchase a new dress at Affleck's Palace in Manchester, one of the select few places that cater to the gypsy look.

[02:13:47]That's nice though. Look like >> So, do you want to be a bit blingy?

[02:13:53]>> Yeah.

[02:13:53]>> A bit showy.

[02:13:55]>> Yeah.

[02:13:55]>> A bit out there.

[02:13:59]>> Give her a blush. There you go.

[02:14:01]>> Oh, mommy's life.

[02:14:02]>> Is it nice?

[02:14:06]>> What' you say?

[02:14:07]>> I think that's gorgeous.

[02:14:09]>> I think it looks lovely, doesn't it?

[02:14:10]>> You still show it. It still shows your picture off to a tea without showing your flesh. If you want more decoration and I don't know I did I did one similar she had not the she had like mir mirrors mirrors on one side but not a 3D flower flat flower but it was turquoise nasi pink and that was stunning stunning.

[02:14:25]>> Yeah you can have that see-through panels as well if you wanted to if you want to show a bit more.

[02:14:30]>> Yeah yeah could be able to do that for me.

[02:14:32]>> Yeah.

[02:14:33]>> It's nice to have somebody that comes in that does get doled up nowadays. I mean really doled up. I mean you go down the ice street and you know a lot a lot of people go out in pair of jeans and a t-shirt now I mean they do come they really get so glamorous suntans the hair done the nails done they spend a fortune on the outfits and for one night you know it's that's what it's about really isn't it so someone like me I think they come with all these ideas I mean I buzz off them because they give me ideas as well I think it's fantastic love it >> love it how's that one love let's have a look that one >> I like the first one I know >> that's nice as well Like the first one >> with that one. You go really dark Santa.

[02:15:12]>> Huh?

[02:15:12]>> Go really darkly Santa with that one.

[02:15:14]>> Yeah.

[02:15:15]>> What do you think?

[02:15:16]>> Yeah, it's nicer, isn't it?

[02:15:18]>> Kind of sparse. It's lovely.

[02:15:24]>> Your eyes.

[02:15:25]>> Although naturally more reserved than her sister, Annaise will also be entering the fashion show.

[02:15:38]Is that cause a bit grown up for you babe? I go it's come different color.

[02:15:42]>> Black and red. I think it's too old looking for her. You know what I mean?

[02:15:44]It's No, your mother will kill me. No, >> it's too old.

[02:15:48]>> Yeah, she needs something a bit more pastel. Pastel pinks be lovely. Fuchsia pinks.

[02:15:52]>> Yeah, a different color.

[02:15:53]>> You can't breathe.

[02:15:54]>> Just choose the faint on me.

[02:16:01]Despite its popularity, the glamorous traveler style is a relatively modern development.

[02:16:07]And not all gypsies are so enamored with the new look. Sammy Joe's grandmother included.

[02:16:13]>> They show too much of their body.

[02:16:16]I don't like it at all.

[02:16:19]What can you do with this young generation, isn't it? The thing you can do about it. Years ago, if you got out dancing like that and now with them clothes on you, oh, you you'd be booed to death.

[02:16:33]>> Why do you think they're dressed like that?

[02:16:36]>> Get yourself noticed.

[02:16:42]>> Well, what can you do? It's their fashion is their world, isn't it? Not ours.

[02:16:49]>> What did you wear when you were that age?

[02:16:54]Maybe a school frock.

[02:16:58]>> I wore a lot of pajamas.

[02:20:17]Wrath Keel in County Limmerick is one of the richest towns in Ireland with travelers making up around half the population.

[02:20:26]During the wedding season, up to 10 ceremonies will take place here every week, each accompanied by a no expense spared night before party.

[02:20:39]To ensure she stands out, Dolores Quilligan has commissioned a Spanish themed dress.

[02:20:56]Is it comfortable?

[02:20:57]>> Yeah, very comfortable.

[02:21:00]>> I didn't think I would be.

[02:21:03]Are you pleased with how it is?

[02:21:04]>> Yeah.

[02:21:07]Has anyone in Rathfield had a pineapple and a palm tree?

[02:21:23]>> No, we're the first. I said we would be the last to have a pineapple and a palm tree.

[02:21:35]How big a deal is the night before the wedding?

[02:21:37]>> It's like a big deal. It's like the the last night you're single. Really?

[02:21:41]>> It's nearly as big a deal as the day of the wedding. You have to look nearly as nice, but it's not in white.

[02:21:46]>> Not on my face cuz it went my eyes on here. Top me.

[02:21:51]>> Are you sad about tomorrow? She's getting married.

[02:21:53]>> Yeah, like sad because you know what I mean? Like I'm the only one left. So like when you used to having a sister around, it's hard kind of to see her gone really. You know what I mean? Like when you have a sister and she's gone in, she's married like her left kind on your own, but no one really, she'd get married, she'll have her own husband and her own caravan like everything.

[02:22:13]>> Despite their extravagant cost, the pineapple and the palm tree are not conducive to free movement. But fortunately, the girls have ordered a luxury limousine to transport them to the venue.

[02:22:25]>> How am I going to get in, mama?

[02:22:27]>> How am I going to get into the limousine?

[02:22:30]>> Put your two legs in. It's diamond outside.

[02:22:32]>> Open the door. Quick.

[02:22:35]Get in.

[02:22:36]>> I can't get in too many.

[02:22:37]>> Oh, you can't get in.

[02:22:39]>> I can't get in there. How do I >> What?

[02:22:43]>> How the doors get in?

[02:22:58]>> Twist your body.

[02:22:59]>> My body. It won't push you.

[02:23:03]>> Go the other side where you're not going to >> at a nearby hotel. The outfit's creator, Thelma Medine, has arrived with a wedding dress ready for tomorrow's ceremony.

[02:23:19]>> That's it. Well done.

[02:23:21]>> I've got to admit, when they said a palm tree and a pineapple, it was a bit Now you're going too far. But when you see it, looks quite nice.

[02:23:31]>> Different. Really different, but nice.

[02:23:33]>> Yeah, >> it sounds ridiculous, but it is lovely.

[02:23:39]It really is lovely.

[02:23:55]>> Has everyone seen what Dolores IS WEARING TODAY?

[02:23:58]AND WHAT do you think of it?

[02:23:59]>> It's beautiful.

[02:24:02]>> Cuz our philosophy is whatever they want, we give them. When she asked for that, I just thought we'll just say going a bit far now. She wants something that no one else has had. It's not always a good thing that no one else has had. A palm tree and a pineapple.

[02:24:14]>> Have you ever seen anything LIKE IT BEFORE?

[02:24:16]>> NO.

[02:24:17]>> WHAT'S SHE WEARING?

[02:24:19]>> PINEAPPLE.

[02:24:24]>> We never say no. We'll do anything.

[02:24:25]>> That's right. But I'd say up to now, this is probably the most outrageous request we've ever had. Really?

[02:24:38]>> There you go. It's all yours.

[02:24:39]>> Okay. Thank you. All right.

[02:24:40]>> Having invested in a new outfit, Sammy Joe is almost ready for the beauty contest. But one last crucial stage remains when it comes to achieving the traveler look. Being brown is just as important as bling.

[02:24:59]>> Obviously, all traveler girls get somewhere to look dark. Makes them look nicer, if you know what I mean. So, it's just important. All travel girls have to get them. You get Everybody say she that young one's like a ghost. She needs to go and get a sunbed. You know what I mean? So, some girls say come every day, but I don't get that one. You get three week.

[02:25:17]>> Is there any kind of negative side effect?

[02:25:20]>> What you mean? Like getting cancer?

[02:25:22]Yeah. Yeah. Like some people say you get cancer after the sun some beds but I have met one travel girl that got cancer. Only country people say that they say girls gets cancer how many times get on them and all this. They don't honestly I've never probably some girls might have did because they get one every day. You know what I mean?

[02:25:38]Obviously you want to get it end up getting it but I don't know >> if you did know someone who got it would it stop you going to some beds?

[02:25:46]>> If I knew someone that got it I'll get like two week I'll cut it down a bit more. Maybe one a week knew what that someone got. I wouldn't get as much. But at the end of the day, if I get cancer, I get cancer and that's it.

[02:26:00]I might not get cancer, right? But at least I still look good. You know what I mean?

[02:26:16]Freezen. In Liverpool, Sammy Joe and her sister are arriving at the Traveler Only Beauty Contest.

[02:26:23]>> How you feeling?

[02:26:24]>> Nervous. I'm a bit excited now. I'm a bit nervous, but I'm really excited.

[02:26:30]>> After a series of setbacks, Ronnie finally found a venue to accommodate his venture.

[02:26:37]>> Chandeliers, red carpet, you name it, we've got it.

[02:26:44]roughly we're going to have somewhere in the region of about 50 girls. Um it was going to be on you know but uh whether we'll be able to get through them all and and for them all to join in the competition I really don't know whether we're going to have the time.

[02:27:00]>> But despite Ronny's extensive preparations, the competition is less substantial than expected. Only four contestants have entered.

[02:27:18]You know, there's been there's been girls come go.

[02:27:23]>> There's been um people come go and then like we've got down to people who really want to be be that type of thing now at the end, you know.

[02:27:34]>> Grandpa, please grandad begg please don't make me fall upside down. face again.

[02:27:40]>> In spite of the poor attendance, nerves are running high.

[02:27:44]>> No, I really don't want to do it.

[02:27:47]>> For Gypsy and Traveler Girls, new experiences are rare. The challenge of performing unprecedented.

[02:27:54]>> Very scared. Feel like I'm going to fall upside down cuz when I get like this, my feet start shaking. I'm going to collapse.

[02:28:02]>> You're sick, aren't you?

[02:28:03]>> Yeah.

[02:28:05]Oh, that Three, two, one. Hands down.

[02:28:22]>> Ronnie has engaged four judges. His wife Maria, a modeling agent, and two local hairdressers.

[02:28:30]Someone go up. I'm going to get sick.

[02:28:31]Someone go up. Your next go. I'm not going up.

[02:28:45]While the girls attempt to impress the judges downstairs, Ronnie has opted not to watch his vision unfold.

[02:28:52]>> It's just out respect to the girls, to be honest with you.

[02:28:58]>> I'm a married person. Um, I've got a wife. I've got two kids. My wife's up there. She's organizing all that type of thing.

[02:29:07]Although I want to make somebody into something, it's against my beliefs to sit up there and watch. You know, the girls have overcome their nerves, but it will be up to the judges to select a winner.

[02:29:34]Just pull it like that. Just pull the top one.

[02:29:40]>> At the home of the bride to be, Theelma is helping Dolores into her lavishly created cat themed dress.

[02:29:48]>> You look gorgeous.

[02:29:52]>> We were got here too late to go to your, you know, the night before outfit. What does everyone say when they seen you?

[02:29:58]>> Everyone was amazed with them.

[02:30:00]>> Were they?

[02:30:00]>> Yeah.

[02:30:01]>> They couldn't believe how nice they were. Was no one shocked?

[02:30:05]>> The whole hall was shocked because they were saying, "Oh, this is your night before dress. I don't want to see your wedding dress."

[02:30:12]>> Yeah. They won't know what to expect, will they? Now, off you.

[02:30:15]>> No.

[02:30:16]>> And they kept it as a secret.

[02:30:18]>> Nobody knows. Nobody.

[02:30:19]>> Nobody.

[02:30:20]>> Where's your one?

[02:30:30]>> Mama.

[02:30:35]One minute. I'm going to fall over the cankings.

[02:30:38]I can't cuz the can's coming at us.

[02:30:42]>> Having negotiated the door, the bride boards one of the largest and most expensive carriages Rathqual has ever seen.

[02:31:22]while addresses creators battle the elements. Hurry up. We're going to lose the wagon.

[02:31:29]The Lores is transported to the church in full gypsy splendor.

[02:31:42]In Liverpool, while the girls wait nervously in the wings, the judges are attempting to decide the winner of the traveler only beauty contest.

[02:31:51]>> I'm going to be I'm going to go number number two. Number two. Sammy J.

[02:31:58]>> See, Sammy Jay also had something as well, but I think with number one, she she she basically had it.

[02:32:04]>> It depends what you're looking for. I think number one's quite classically beautiful, >> but number two embodies everything that Travel Girls are, you know, I mean, she's very kind of glamorous. She's got all the bling. And >> after much deliberation, the recipient of the coveted crown can finally be revealed. the winner. A >> despite scoring points for her gypsy look, Sammy Joe has missed out.

[02:32:28]>> There we go.

[02:32:29]>> The crown goes to Romany Gypsy Montana.

[02:32:35]>> She does look lovely this girl. Yeah, but she just come in plain and simple.

[02:32:39]Her dress was just all squashy diamonds, all her. She only had a bit of studs and hairs, a bit of makeup, didn't she?

[02:32:43]There's a bit of foundation. That's that's all she had.

[02:32:46]>> But we all knew she was going to win.

[02:32:48]That's why >> cuz she really is lovely and she deserves it. She really do deserve it.

[02:32:54]It's >> been a long day, ain't it? Long day.

[02:32:56]It's been a long day for all of us, hasn't it? But let's just hope something comes out of it for for some of the girls.

[02:33:03]You know, >> I will come back here next year like go on a diet and fix myself up better, but I won't do it as a joke cuz my brother will kill me, break me legs.

[02:33:16]One more lovely. 3 2 1 At the reception venue in Rathqual, the displays of wealth continue.

[02:33:34]>> We are the proper travelers. We are the Rakill Trappers.

[02:33:39]>> We're living TO THE BEST DRIVING PORCHES FERRARIS. Rack hills like Beverly Hills.

[02:33:45]Right.

[02:33:45]>> Your first car.

[02:33:46]>> My first car. Right. I'll catch you later. Yeah.

[02:33:53]>> But it's not only in the car park that big impressions can be made.

[02:34:30]The guests have attended a host of weddings during the week with a new outfit for every occasion.

[02:34:37]>> From your toes to your vows, it has to be sparkling. It has to be diamonds.

[02:34:41]Diamonds everywhere. Diamonds are a girl's best friend.

[02:34:47]>> I want to thank my wedding dress so nice. I want to thank the cake lady and Jess.

[02:35:01]>> We think of travelers as being like unconventional, unpredictable, and uncontrollable.

[02:35:06]probably usually people have restrictions on what they want or what they can wear or what they want to do. Not then.

[02:35:19]What she's wore today, it won't be forgotten. You know, everyone will remember that. You know, she's known as Catgirl now. That's it.

[02:35:32]>> Hey, the police is here.

[02:35:33]>> I think the police hates us. Next time, gypsies and travelers come up against the law.

[02:35:38]>> What do you think of the place?

[02:35:40]>> Crap.

[02:35:43]>> Don't worry about the police. You stole them. I'm the daddy.

[02:35:46]>> But despite the authorities still find a way to celebrate my wedding, I tell the truth. I want a couple of balls and I want to go to fight.