The Speakmans, the couples’ resident therapists, renew their vows, and offer their unique interpretations of cruel trolls. They also shed light on the secrets to a successful marriage.
Life-coaching couple Nik and Eva Speakman have two celebrations coming up – they are marking 15 years as resident therapists on ITV ’s This Morning this year and also celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in 2026. The pair have become well known for their transformative work as therapists on the show, helping individuals overcome fears, phobias and trauma.
When Nik, 63, and Eva, 55, discuss their wedding plans with the couple when they reconnect at the British Diversity Awards. A second honeymoon and a vow renewal ceremony are possible, according to Grimn, Eva. Believe it or not, Eva says, “Yes, it’s 30 years next year.” We’re still considering it, but we’re thinking about renewing our vows, inviting everyone to our wedding, and hosting a big party for our friends, both old and new. Then, I’m hoping for a Caribbean vacation.
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Maintaining a vibrant relationship over three decades is no small feat. For the couple, who have two children, Liv and Hunter, they say the secret lies in mutual respect, open communication and a shared sense of humour. “I love Eva as much as the day I met her and that never changes,” says Nik, adding that happiness is an “inside job”, as he explains you’ve got to be happy yourself, before you can be happy as a couple.
Meanwhile, Eva swears by communication and laughter. “The secret to a great relationship is talking about everything,” she says. “We all see the world differently, so sometimes misunderstandings happen – but you have to talk it out. And honestly? Laughter. Find as much of it as you can.”
Beyond personal milestones, the Speakmans have made strides in their professional lives and are best known for their work as therapists and life coaches, specialising in a therapeutic approach they developed called Schema Conditioning Therapy. It’s a method, they explain, which aims to help individuals reframe negative thought patterns, enabling them to overcome psychological challenges.
In the early 2000s, Nik and Eva combined their expertise to form a dynamic duo in the field of personal development. Fast forward to 2010, when they started working as therapists as residents on This Morning and assisting viewers with issues ranging from phobias of spiders to post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Speaking about being part of the show, Eva laughs and says, “Yes, we love it. It’s been 15 years now and we’re still loving it. It’s such a privilege.” From helping celebs such as Kerry Katona and Joey Essex overcome their biggest fears to supporting thousands of everyday viewers, the Speakmans have become part of the This Morning furniture.
But when you’re in the public eye, criticism is also par for the course – and Nik and Eva have faced their share, particularly on social media, where Nik has experienced trolling about his facial appearance. As they tell new, they approach any negativity with resilience. Yet, while Nik chooses to shrug it off, protective Eva isn’t having any of it.
I’m a little bit of a lioness, she says, but Nik doesn’t seem particularly bothered. You should never make a judgment, unless you know someone’s backstory. Although I usually don’t like it, I recently had a little backstory behind something, and I just thought, “No, that’s really not fair!” However, Nik approaches critical comments in a fundamentally different way.
He asserts that “everyone has a right to an opinion.” Some people love us, while others don’t, which is acceptable. You can never criticize my work, which is the main thing for me, though. I would then “turn” really!
The couple tell us they are thrilled to be participating in the British Diversity Awards, a celebration of diversity and inclusion in all sectors. Although they are all for advancement, Nik wishes that there wasn’t still competition for diversity today.
You wouldn’t even need an event like this, he says, because we all would be treated equally in a perfect world. However, it’s encouraging to see diversity being celebrated. Eva agrees, saying, “We feel privileged to be here because it’s a celebration.” They claim that the pair has always fought for kindness. The world would be so much better “if everyone was kind,” says Nik.
The British Diversity Awards took place on 19 March. For details about the annual awards ceremony, see britishdiversityawards.com
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