In 2021, a mysterious figure unexpectedly appeared in the background of Michelle Wylie's wedding photos.

This unknown individual was spotted in various shots, even standing and smiling in the aisle during the reception as the professional photographer captured moments from the event.

Over the years, Michelle and her husband, John, have been dedicated to identifying the 'random stranger' - yet none of their wedding guests recognized him.

Recently, the truth came to light, leaving the married couple astonished to discover the identity of their real-life 'wedding crasher'.

As part of her online campaign, Michelle, a digital facilitator for the NHS, frequently posted wedding images on Facebook, urging her friends and followers to help spread the word.

The couple tied the knot in 2021 (Courtesy Michelle Wylie / SWNS)

"As soon as I received the sample wedding pictures, I noticed him immediately," she explained. "We all asked, does anyone know who this is? We questioned family and friends, but no one had a clue.

"No one remembered him being there that day, and we later learned he slipped away right after the ceremony."

She believed that the wider the photo spread, the greater the chance of identifying the man. Finally, just a few weeks ago, he was identified.

A man named Andrew Hillhouse commented on a social media post, claiming to be the person in the background of the treasured photos.

After arranging a meeting with Michelle in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Andrew explained he was meant to attend a different wedding - one where he only knew his partner and the bride - on the same day but was directed to the wrong venue.

Andrew appeared in several images (Courtesy Michelle Wylie / SWNS)

"I always wondered if this would ever find its way back to me," Andrew remarked. "Four years ago, my partner was acting as a bridesman (male bridesmaid) for his friend Michaela's wedding, and I was invited as his plus one.

"For some reason, he told me the wedding was at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick at 2pm, but it was actually held at the Great Western Hotel in Ayr [Scotland].

"He had already left in the morning to assist with bridesman duties, leaving me to make my own way to the wedding."

Andrew recalled: "I remember thinking, 'Cool, this is definitely the right place.' I parked my car and rushed inside.

"I made my way into the hall and saw the groom standing there nervously. I had never met Michaela's husband before, so I thought, 'Alright, this must be Ben'.

Andrew, 33, a painter and decorator, only realized his mistake when he saw Michelle walking down the aisle.

Andrew appeared in the back of the photo (Courtesy Michelle Wylie / SWNS)

"The fact that I didn't recognize anyone there didn't alarm me," he confessed. "Then the music began. Everyone stood up and turned to watch the bride walk down the aisle, and I thought, 'OMG, that's not Michaela!'"

Hoping not to cause a disruption, he stayed for the entire ceremony before discreetly leaving ahead of the reception.

"You can't just stand up and walk out of a wedding mid-ceremony," Andrew continued. "So I had to stick with it and spent the next 20 minutes awkwardly sitting there, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible."

Hearing his story, Michelle, 38, said she 'couldn't stop laughing'.

"It is so hilarious, and Andrew's way of telling the story is fantastic," she admitted. "You don't often hear about things like this happening. I just can't stop laughing about it. It's great to finally know who it was.

"It was always in the back of my mind, wondering who he was and why he was there. To finally find out after all this time is quite something."