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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Lisa McLoughlin

Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch confirms his engagement to Gabbriette Bechtel after nine-month romance

Matty Healy's mother, Denise Welch, has officially confirmed her son's engagement to model Gabbriette Bechtel following their whirlwind romance.

Speaking on Wednesday’s Loose Women, the former Coronation Street actress shared: “I have known for a few weeks that Matty got engaged.

“They went over to see their friends Charli and George in New York. I woke up this morning to the fact they’ve put it on Instagram. Instagram official, he has got engaged to Gabbriette.

“Black diamond, he had it made for her and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Adding: “She is from Los Angeles, she is absolutely gorgeous, she does have a rat. We couldn't be happier, she is everything that I would want in a daughter in law.”

Welch pictured with Gabbriette Bechtel and her pet rat (ITV)

Welch’s confirmation comes after Bechtel heavily hinted she is engaged to the 1975 singer on Tuesday when she shared an Instagram story from Charli XCX’s concert in New York City.

The social media snap featured the model’s hand with a large black diamond ring on her ring finger and tagged Healy’s account.

She wrote across the image: “MARRYING THE 1975 IS VERY BRAT @trumanblack.”

In a following Instagram post, she continued to show off the ring in a mirror selfie, this time on her right hand.

The 1975 singer then reposted her story, which fueled engagement speculation further.

Bechtel was first linked to the British musician in September 2023 following Healy's split from Taylor Swift that June. The Standard has contacted Matty Healy’s rep for comment.

In May, Healy was romantically linked with the Grammy-winning artist following her breakup with longterm boyfriend, British actor, Joe Alwyn.

Healy and the pop star were said to have parted ways after stories about his controversial past, including doing what appeared to be a nazi salute during one of his stage performances, resurfaced.

Bechtel made the announcement on Instagram (Instagram/Gabbriette Bechtel)
The model shared a bathroom selfie showcasing the ring (Instagram/Gabriette)

He also drew criticism while making offensive remarks about female rapper Ice Spice’s face and body on The Adam Freidland Show, a New York-based podcast.

In the wake of the furore, the rocker apologised saying that a joke he made on the show had become “misconstrued”.

“I love you, Ice Spice. I’m so sorry,” he told the audience at a concert in New Zealand.

Swift went on to collaborate on a remix of her song Karma with the rapper. Her army of fans also took to social media to voice their disapproval of The 1975 frontman.

Healy had been publicly supportive of Swift, 33, attending her The Eras Tour concerts, performing at some of the gigs and being pictured partying with her and her A List pals the likes of Gigi Hadid.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Healy was "completely blindsided" by Swift seemingly taking aim at him on her album, The Tortured Poets Department, which dropped on April 19. 

Swift pictured with Matty Healy last summer (Instagram/emilyadorestay)

"He loves the attention it's brought to him, [but] he also thinks it's hilarious because at no time [were they] ever serious," a source said, before adding that he was "blindsided" by the move.  

In one of the tracks titled, Loml, Swift sings: "You s**t-talked me under the table, talking rings and talking cradles...

"You and I go from one kiss to getting married/Still alive, killing time at the cemetery/Never quite buried/In your suit and tie, in the nick of time."

She also seemingly takes a dig at the British singer on tracks Fresh Out The Slammer, Fortnight and The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.

Earlier this year, Healy broke his silence following the release of the album.

"I haven't really listened to that much of it but I'm sure it's good," he said. 

Swift is currently on the Europe trek of her Eras Tour, and is set to perform in Liverpool later this week.

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