Llandudno's famous Monkey Man wants the whole town to celebrate his upcoming weddingOne of Llandudno’s most recognisable residents is marrying his “soulmate”, and wants the whole town and his fans from across the world to join in the celebrations.
Since “adopting” his monkey from a charity shop six years ago, Samuel Peters - also famously known as the Monkey Man - has toured the country with his cuddly toy, dancing all the while.
Recently, his fiancee Amanda Newman has joined him as part of the act, dancing with him and singing hit songs from musicals. They don't receive money for their act.
Samuel, who has suffered from a variety of health problems for a number of years and is bipolar, has tried to take his own life numerous times but says his toy monkey saved his life.
“I have no idea why, but I bought the monkey and just started to talk to him as I had nobody else to talk to at the time,” said Samuel, 62.
“In Birmingham, where I’m from, I’d often go to my local police station just for a chat, and I started taking the monkey with me.
“Instead of being laughed at, the police started encouraging me and the act started from there.
“Before the monkey, I didn’t really want to live. I had overdosed numerous times.”
Samuel moved to North Wales six years ago, and since then his Monkey Man routine has won him fans from all over the world.
He said: “The public are so kind. We have busloads of people waving at us when they see Amanda and I, and loads of fans want selfies with us.
“A lot of people want to come to our wedding, and everyone is welcome as long as they can all fit into Holy Trinity Church in Llandudno on August 29.
“We are hoping it’s going to be the biggest wedding Llandudno has ever seen, and it will help put the town on the map.
“Amanda and I love each other. She’s my soulmate. We’ve both been through a lot and we help each other.
“We can talk for hours and never get bored, and my social worker has signed me off as she knows Amanda has put me in a better place.”
The couple are asking for help to make their wedding a special day.
“A friend is trying to get us an open top carriage for the big day,” said Amanda, 52.
“Somebody else has offered to do the photography for free, and another kind person is going to do my hair and make-up for free.
“We’d have a quiet wedding if it was possible, but too many people are interested in Monkey Man.”
The couple also hope to find a pageboy to push the monkey down the aisle in a pram.
The Monkey Man has got almost 5,000 fans on Facebook and has several videos of him and his monkey on YouTube.
Amanda Faulds, a friend of the couple, has started a Facebook campaign to help make the wedding a day to remember.
Amanda said: “Sam and Amanda go around Llandudno and put smiles on people’s faces, so it would be nice if we can put a smile on their faces.”
Anyone wishing to help should visit the Llandudno Monkey Man Facebook page.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/watch-llandudnos-famous-monkey-man-9745538
