So how did ‘Friends’ star Courteney Cox ended up becoming engaged to the guitarist from Snow Patrol? The relationship between the 50 year old actress and the Irish rocker might seem like one of the most unlikely pairings in Hollywood, but clearly it’s working. Both Courteney and Johnny took to Twitter yesterday to announce their engagement, after the rocker reportedly proposed while the couple were on vacation. But what do we know about the man who's won the heart of our favourite ‘friend’?

Courteney Cox and Johnny McDaidCourteney Cox and her new fiancee, Johnny McDaid

Hailing from Derry in Northern Ireland, 37 year old McDaid is a multi talented musician who currently plays guitar for Snow Patrol. The band, who were formed in 1994, recruited McDaid as a full time member in 2011, after he’d been touring with them for four years. But before he joined Snow Patrol, McDaid was a member of Vega4, an alternative band with a international feel (the four members all hailed from different countries). The group are mostly remembered for their single ‘Life is Beautiful’ which featured on ‘Greys Anatomy’ and the soundtrack of My Sister’s Keeper. The band also collaborated with dance producer Paul Van Dyke for the single ‘Time Of Our Lives’ from his album Reflections.

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After Vega4 disbanded in 2008, McDaid became the first signing to Snow Patrol’s publishing company, before joining the band full time. Aside from his Snow Patrol work, he frequently collaborates with other artists, writing and producing music. In 2012 he teamed with rapper Example to write ‘Say Nothing’ the lead single from his Evolution of Man album.

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Another famous friend and collaborator of McDaid’s is Ed Sheeran. Sheeran and McDaid worked together on Ed’s second album X, with both moving to Los Angeles temporarily during the recording. It was through Ed that McDaid was introduced to Courteney and the pair began dating late last year. Since then the couple have been inseparable with McDaid frequently accompanying Cox tor her public appearances. Most recently he was on her arm when she arrived for her April guest spot on Letterman.


McDaid is said to have presented Courteney with a engagement ring during the couple’s recent holiday to Turks and Caicos, to celebrate the actress’s 50th birthday, The couple beat the press to the scoop on Thursday night, when Courteney tweeted a picture of her fiancee with the caption “I’m engaged to him”. McDaid followed up with the same picture and caption reading, “I’m engaged to her.” Congratulations, Courteney and Johnny, here’s wishing you all the best for the future!