Rod Stewart married Penny Lancaster yesterday, making her his third wife.

The couple held the the low-key ceremony at a 17th century villa on the Italian Riviera with just Lancaster's parents present.

It was conducted by a local councillor, Maria Benazzi, who was among a number of staff required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

She told the Daily Mail: "It was a very simple and sober ceremony that lasted about 20 to 25 minutes.

"It's usually only around 15 minutes but as there was a translator there it lasted a little bit longer. Penny arrived first and had to wait a few minutes for Rod, so the ceremony started just a little after 10am.

"I'm delighted they chose Santa Margherita Ligure for their wedding. We had known for several months but the whole event was shrouded in secrecy."

The couple began dating in 1998, the same year Rod Stewart finalised his divorce with Rachel Hunter.