Martin Fox-Roberts: Working as an Independent Modern Celebrant, marrying couples in BSL and appearing on C4’s Married at First Sight! (BSL)

I was born and raised in Darlington and initially trained as an Actor at Arts International, York. After working professionally for a good few years in both in TV and Theatre, I set up my own business in Theatre Promotions.

I am now based in South East London and former Theatre Manager at Battersea Arts Centre. I currently work as a British Sign Language Interpreter; I perform as a Drag Queen – Maria Hurtz, and more recently I founded my company ‘Proud Fox Ceremonies’ as an Independent Wedding and Funeral Celebrant.

I have been signing since 1999 when I first met my now husband, Neil.  Neil is a Deaf Actor, you will have seen him in films such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Wicked Little Letters; with appearances on Holby City and most recently in the Pets At Home Advert.  

We’ve been together 24 years and married for 12 years. BSL is the first language at our home. When I first met Neil, I couldn’t sign at all. We met through our theatre work and after working together, we decided to continue our relationship.

I gave up my home and business to be with him in London, started learning BSL and worked my way up, graduating from UCLAN/SLI with a Post Graduate Diploma in BSL/English Interpreting in 2008. I decided to have a change of career and started working at RAD, before then going freelance.  

I became of Regional Chair for ASLI, (Association of Sign Language Interpreters), London and South East, 2009 – 2011 and then went on and became a Director 2011 – 2014.

At the beginning of the pandemic and the first lockdown, I – like many – became extremely anxious about my work, wondering how it was going to adapt to the new way of being.  I’ve always believed in armouring yourself with new skills to bring in an income.  At that time I was working as a British Sign Language Interpreter, trained as an Holistic Massage Therapist and also performed and hosted as Drag Queen “Maria Hurtz.”

But of course, all that work had to stop with only Interpreting work continuing, working remotely. However, I had no idea how sustainable that was.  So I looked to what other skill I could acquire to make me feel secure in continuing to get an income.  

So, I set to thinking about where the opportunities of making money are. Well, in life there are three things that happen – Births, Deaths and Marriages.  I began flicking through Google trying to get some ideas – and by the powers of the algorithms of the world wide web and Facebook, the work of Celebrants flashed up on my screen.

I suddenly got excited – I could do this! I thought, “I’ll become a Funeral Celebrant! ” However, each training provider advised me against training in Funerals first and instead encouraged me to consider Weddings which are more positive – with all that love! – plus you get to learn the structure and the business aspects. 

So I took a risk and took the plunge into Wedding Celebrancy!

After my training was complete I immediately set up my Independent Celebrant business, Proud Fox Ceremonies! 

I believe that couples should truly get the day that they deserve and want – and not be told what they should do.  It’s your day, your ceremony, your way!  I’m so passionate about that.  I deliver my service as me Martin, or as Maria Hurtz, a fearless drag queen, in English or in BSL – the choice is yours.  

As a qualified and fully registered NRCPD, British Sign Language Interpreter Pg Dip, this means that I can officiate ceremonies using British Sign Language for BSL Users, Deaf couples or CODAS (Children of Deaf Adults), in their native language, without them having to rely on using an Interpreter.  

This is so important to me.  Giving couples the choice to have a wedding in their first language makes a ceremony more intimate, personal and meaningful.  Naturally, it should be a couple’s right to have a Wedding in their first language and have that experience which takes on a whole new level.  

Interpreters might still be needed so that the hearing member of the families or friends can have access to what is being said; so why not, let’s turn those tables and put the couples first!

I do have one funny memory I can share with you!  During my ceremonies, I like to pause and remember those family members or friends who have died.  Couples like to have this moment so that loved ones are part of the ceremony.  

At one ceremony it came to that part so I paused and said, ‘let us take a moment to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, especially the Groom’s mother, Sheila’ – at which point the bride burst out laughing and said ‘Sheila is very much alive and sat on the front row!’

I looked up and saw this woman in complete shock.  I was mortified, I just wanted the floor to open up and swallow me!   Luckily, everyone, including the Grooms mother, found it very funny! 

Anyhow, I am very proud to be the first accredited Drag Queen Celebrant currently operating and creating weddings in the UK.

I have been performing as a Maria Hurtz for the last 8 years, mostly in London at renowned venues including Royal Vauxhall Tavern, Soho Theatre, The Aeronaut and regularly perform at an East End pub, The Northcote in E11.  

I decided to combine the two because I felt it would be really unique and wildly funny – again offering couples a choice! The ceremony is the start of the celebrations; it shouldn’t just be the boring bit before the celebrations, so what better way to start it all off than with a big old camp Drag Queen! 

The style of the ceremony is very much down to the couple.  We can keep it traditional or we can go wild! Ideally with #DragYouUpTheAisle ™️ the couples are the stars of their very own show; stood centre stage, surrounded by family and friends!  

We can have dance routines, a sing-along, a lip-sync – tie you up and spank-you-I-do … the sky is the limit!  We can do this anywhere, even in your favourite club or bar.  

Although she is very careful not to steel the limelight away from the couple….! Maria Hurtz is perfect for a Drag themed or Cabaret Themed Wedding – or if you just want to surprise your guests with something totally off the wall, she might also be available for after the ceremony to entertain the guest with a set. 

The response from everyone about what I do has been great!  It excites people, especially when couples realise that they can do absolutely anything!

When someone comes up to me and says, ‘that’s the best wedding I have ever been to’ then I feel like I’ve done my job well, it makes it all worthwhile!

Marring a couple on Married at First Sight (MAFSUK) was great fun but extremely nerve racking.  You only get to see a short part of the ceremony on the show, but the celebrants actually do a full ceremony.  

As the celebrant, you write the script for the ceremony, which the way producers read over and make sure that there’s nothing in the script that is not permitted.

Of course it’s difficult to write because you have no idea who you are going to marry!  Everyone who works on the show is extremely lovely.  It’s a great honour to have been part of it.  

My personal goal now is really to get a better work / life balance.  Sometimes it feels like I do too much, but I love everything I do. Neil, my husband is very good at supporting me and reminding me to live life too and that it’s not all about work.  His motto is ‘life is too short’.  

If anyone would like to get in touch with Martin, please find contact details below:

martin@proudfoxceremonies.com

www.proudfoxceremonies.com

@proudfox_ceremonies (Instagram)

Text or Video Call:  07973444664