ELVIS fan May Molloy ‘couldn’t help falling in love’ as her eyes met those of her huband-to-be across a crowded dancefloor — and the couple are now celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss.

May met sweetheart John at Burton Dance Hall in Greenock and two and a half years later, tied the knot in Ladyburn Church in Greenock on February 17 1967.

This was followed by a reception at the Queen’s Hotel in Gourock.

May, 73, said: “I used to go to Cragburn and John used to go to the Palladium, but my sisters were going to Burton’s one night and persuaded me to go along.

“John was there, so maybe fate brought us together.”

John, 76, said: “I remember thinking May was a good dancer!”

The pair, originally from Greenock, settled in Port Glasgow and have lived at their home in Arran Avenue for almost 40 years. May was a weaver and worked at Birkmyre Mill in Port Glasgow until son John, now 46, and daughter Lorna, 42, came along.

She returned there to work part-time when the children got older, while John, a butcher to trade, spent 35 years as a bus driver.

May says the secret to a long and happy marriage is ‘quite a few arguments’, while John said it is ‘toeing the line’.

John laughed: “I just do as I’m told. I do the dishes, hoovering and gardening.”

They have a close-knit family, so close in fact that Lorna, her partner Frank and their granddaughter Christina, 18, a figure skater, live next door.

Son John, his wife April and their daughter Nicole, 20, are not too far away in Wemyss Bay.

Lorna said: “They would be lost without each other.”

The pair jet off to Spain three times a year and meet friends for lunch at the Horseshoe Bar every Saturday.

They enjoyed a romantic dinner for two to mark their anniversary at the Loch House in Lochwinnoch and received a host of lovely cards and gifts.
They had hoped to splash out on a trip to Graceland for their magic milestone, but May says she changed her mind after considering the long flight.

May added: “I’ve always loved Elvis since I was at school. I enjoyed his singing and the way he looked, everything about him in fact!

“I would have loved to visit his grave and his house, but I think the journey would have been too much.”

Lorna said: “There was always music in the house when we were growing up. My daughter bought mum a record player for her Christmas and she replaced as many of her Elvis records as she could, as many were damaged over the years.

May’s favourite song is American Trilogy, but quipped: “John’s my real life teddy bear.”