Accidentally striking someone in the head with a knife is not the traditional way to begin a beautiful and lasting marriage.

But knife-thrower's assistant Yana Rodionova tied the knot at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton with the circus stuntman who did just that live on national TV.

After the service she joked: "I think he'll be aiming a bit wider now I am his wife."

This Morning presenters Fern Britton and Philip Schofield rushed to Russian performer Yana's aid when the knife left her with a deep cut during a display last April.

Knife-thrower Jayde Hanson, 24, had been trying to beat his own world record for speed when the horror unfolded.

Yana, 22, was rushed to hospital with blood pouring from her head.

Jayde had hoped to throw more than 124 knives in less than one minute 41 seconds, the record he had set with Yana two days before.

His aim was affected, however, by a long, tiring journey to the studio.

Fortunately, Yana's injury was superficial.

The couple stayed as a team and Jayde popped the question exactly a year after the accident.

More than 200 circus colleagues packed the chapel in the Pavilion to see the unlikely couple marry yesterday.

The couple are part of Cottle & Austen circus, which is in Preston Park, Brighton, until Sunday.

They arrived at the venue - chosen because it reminded Yana of her native Russia - in a silver Rolls-Royce bearing the number plate BIG TOP.

Yana, who is the sixth generation of her family to perform in the circus, said: "We had been seeing each other for a few years before the accident and it probably brought us closer together.

"We had a few clowns in the service and it went really well.

"I think Jayde will be taking things a lot easier now.

"He doesn't want to hit me again."

Jayde, who was born in Jersey and has been throwing knives since he was 11, popped the question on Valentine's night earlier this year.

Not even performing death-defying stunts every night could prepare him for the tension of getting married.

He said: "I was a lot more nervous than I have ever been throwing knives.

"When I'm performing it is only for one day but this is for the rest of my life.

"After the accident I didn't want to perform again. Yana actually convinced me to keep on going."

Even so, it was Yana who cut their wedding cake - alone.