Van Persie shares in Muamba's special day as first picture emerges of fairytale wedding
Seven months ago he was lying on the White Hart Lane turf after collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie, with doctors saying he was ‘in effect dead’ for almost 80 minutes.

But following on from his miraculous recovery earlier this year, ex-Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba married his fiancée Shauna last Saturday at the 19th century Peckforton Castle in Cheshire.

And the first picture from the ceremony shows the happy couple with Manchester United striker Robin van Persie and his wife Bouchra, who were part of a star-studded guest list from the world of football.

Happy couple: Fabrice Muamba (right) married Shauna Magunda (second right) at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire on Saturday. The couple are here pictured with Robin Van Persie and his wife Bouchra.

Wed: Following on from his miraculous recovery earlier this year, ex-Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba (right) married his fiancée Shauna (left) on Saturday at the 19th century Peckforton Castle in Cheshire

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry flew in from New York to be Muamba's best man. 

Other guests included former Bolton teammates Stuart Holden and Martin Petrov, Reading player Jason Roberts and former England striker Andrew Cole. 

Muamba also invited some of the medical staff who helped save his life, including cardiologist Dr Andrew Deaner and Dr Sam Mohiddin from the London Chest Hospital. 

Muamba, 24, told Hello! magazine: 'This year has been a difficult one but, to me, marriage is a happy ending.'

Shock: Bolton Wanderers' manager Owen Coyle (second right) stands beside Tottenham players, Benoit Assou-Ekotto (left), William Gallas (second left) and Carlo Cudicini (right) after Muamba's collapse in March

Emotional return: Muamba waves to the crowd prior to a match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur in May

Shauna, 27, was a constant presence at Muamba’s bedside following his dramatic collapse during Bolton’s FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur in March, which shocked the footballing world.

Their wedding was held at the castle where Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, 33, and Sunderland player Wes Brown, 33, both had their marriages.

Muamba proposed to Shauna on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, just a month before the cardiac arrest happened. He was forced to retire from professional football in August despite his recovery.

The couple have a three-year-old son named Joshua, who acted as a page boy.

Dr Mohiddin said: 'Seven months ago this day was completely inconceivable. I just feel elated for Fabrice and Shauna, and so honoured to be here to celebrate with them.'

Van Persie said the day was 'particularly special' because of everything Muamba has been through this year.

He said: 'The cardiac arrest had a big impact on everyone in football, and we all lived the moment as Fab recovered in hospital. Everyone is so relieved and happy for him and Shauna.