Footballer Gareth Bale will marry his childhood sweetheart in a haunted Italian castle next year.

Gareth and bride-to-be Emma Rhys-Jones set their hearts on tying the knot at the castle where Arsenal striker Theo Walcott got married four years ago.

The Real Madrid star met Emma, 26, when they were both pupils at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff.

The couple have two daughters, Alba and Nava Valentine, and live in Madrid.

Vincigliata Castle in Tuscany
Vincigliata Castle in Tuscany

They will marry at the historic Vincigliata Castle in Tuscany in May and will use hand-picked bodyguards to protect them on their big day.

A family source said: “The castle is perfect for their big day - it’s a fortress so they will feel safe.

“Once they and all their guests are inside, the place can be shut down to undesirables or prying eyes.”

Vincigliata Castle in Tuscany
Inside the castle which is said to be haunted

The castle is said to be haunted by Bianca, a bride who saw her groom slaughtered on the day they were due to wed.

Local legend has it that Bianca’s ghosts protects people staying at the castle.

The couple have asked Beyonce to be their wedding singer and are understood to have invited their families to a second “wedding day” which will be held in Wales next summer.

The relative said: “They are having a home and away wedding but the one in Italy will be the glamorous affair with Beyonce and many of his team mates as the star guests.”

Gareth Bale with fiancée Emma Rhys-Jones

Gareth, 28, is friends with Theo Walcott who was married at Vincigliata Castle in 2013.

The pair were roommates while at Southampton Youth Academy in their mid-teens.

Words by Tom Bedford