Anita Dobson, the acclaimed actress known for her role in EastEnders, has shared her candid thoughts on what it takes to sustain a long-lasting marriage—revealing that there’s “no secret” behind her enduring 25-year union with Queen guitarist Brian May.
The couple’s story began in the mid-1980s, when they first met at a film premiere in 1986. Their relationship deepened through creative collaboration when May produced Dobson’s Talking Of Love album, released in 1988. After years together, the pair tied the knot on November 18, 2000.
When asked by Best Magazine about the secret to their marital longevity, Dobson, 74, was refreshingly straightforward: “There is no secret. You either stay together because you want to, or if you don’t like it, you get out. That’s it—stay or go.” She added, “If you love the man, and it’s worth staying, then stay. That’s it, that’s the bottom line.”
The couple recently relocated from London to Surrey following flooding at their home in 2021. While Brian May quickly embraced the countryside lifestyle, Dobson, a self-professed “city girl born and bred,” admits the transition took more time. “Brian is in clover—he absolutely loves it,” she said. “He lives more in the garden than he does in the house. He loves the animals, the flowers, the trees, everything. We’ve got a very big garden. For me, it’s been an adjustment… but when the weather is like this, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Despite her city roots, Dobson enjoys occasional visits back to London for “a bit of fun.” Recently, the couple celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary with a special dinner at their “favourite restaurant in the world,” underscoring the simple joys that help keep their relationship vibrant.
Brian May’s path to Dobson was not without complications. Previously married to Christine Mullen from 1976 to 1988, May’s relationship with Dobson was a subject of speculation during the late ’80s. The Queen guitarist alluded to this tumultuous period in his 1989 hit I Want It All, which echoes themes of desire and conflict.
Reflecting on their relationship’s early days, May posted a touching message on social media marking the 34th anniversary of their collaborative track Talking Of Love, describing it as “a collaboration born of a love that was to blow both our lives apart.” The 77-year-old rocker also acknowledged the hard work their marriage has demanded: “You’re not looking at ‘My Perfect Life’ in these last 3 posts of mine. Anita would agree with me in saying that our marriage needed hard work every day of the week throughout those years.”
May offered a heartfelt reminder to fans about the realities of love: “Relationships are not easy, especially since we seldom fall in love ‘conveniently’ (think Romeo and Juliet!). But just being able to start again every day can go a long way towards keeping it together. And the rewards are many and manifest. So tonight we’re celebrating making it SO FAR!!”
Anita Dobson and Brian May’s marriage stands as a testament to enduring love grounded not in secrets or shortcuts, but in mutual respect, daily effort, and a willingness to face life’s ups and downs together—proving that sometimes, the simplest truths are the most powerful.
