Madonna and Ritchie are planning a Highland fling

But their plan was thrown into the media spotlight when their wedding banns were published alongside those of Madonna and Guy Ritchie.

The list of upcoming marriages in the parish of Dornoch confirmed media speculation that the showbiz couple were due to wed on December 22.

It was then reproduced by newspapers and television stations across the world.

And that led to a shock for Mr Davies and Ms Tooze, who have been dating for five years.

Mr Davies, 33, from Loughborough in Leicestershire, said: "It was a bit of a shock because we didn't know Madonna was getting married there.

It was going to be something special to remember - and it certainly will now

Andrew Davies

"We didn't expect to see the announcement on the television with our names on the list of marriages, but we don't have any plans to change the date or venue.

"We had told our immediate family but we just wanted to go away and get married in private. We didn't expect this to happen."

He said the couple's friends were pleased for them now that they knew of the plans.

Mr Davies said he and his fiancee Jane, 31, had planned to get married in Stapleford Park Country House Hotel in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Something special

But when they saw it was associated with Skibo Castle they picked up some leaflets and decided on a change of venue.

He said: "It was going to be something special to remember - and it certainly will now."

Madonna, Ritchie and 200 guests are likely to spend up to a week at the luxury hotel, with a marriage ceremony expected on 22 December.

They are also thought to be planning a christening ceremony for their son Rocco at Dornoch Cathedral.