When Coleen Rooney sparked one of the most discussed showbiz stories in years by publicly pointing a finger at Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account as the source of leaked stories about her last October, friends expressed their surprise that the “very private” WAG had turned the spotlight on herself.
Her pal Lizzie Cundy told Closer the outburst was unusual as Coleen “wants a quiet life away from any drama”, after her husband’s often unruly antics had placed her under much scrutiny. Over the years, he has been subject to numerous cheating allegations, including allegations of a threesome with sex workers Jenny Thompson and Helen Wood when Coleen, 33, was pregnant with their eldest son Kai, now ten, and drink-driving in party girl Laura Simpson’s car in 2017.
These betrayals were dredged up again by Rebekah supporters after her spat with Coleen – and it didn’t help when, in the days following Coleen’s big reveal, her husband was seen partying at a nightclub in the US surrounded by scantily-clad waitresses while she was at home in the UK with their children. But with Derby County player-coach Wayne, 34, being at home for three months due to the pandemic halting the football season – although it will now resume in two weeks’ time, on 17 June – insiders say it’s given the couple some much-needed time to rebuild trust.
A source says, “Lockdown has been a ‘make or break’ test for many relationships and, luckily for Coleen and Wayne, it’s brought them closer together. After her row with Rebekah, Coleen had seen comments calling her a hypocrite for accepting her husband’s numerous betrayals, then letting rip at Rebekah. Understandably, she felt some humiliation, and before lockdown she was constantly on edge in case Wayne did something else to prove her critics right."
“But Coleen has always credited Wayne for being an amazing dad. During lockdown, he has really thrown himself into homeschooling the boys, which she says is adorable to see. Being at home so much has made Wayne realise how much Coleen does for their family when he’s not there, so he has been consciously paying her more attention as a way to show his gratitude, which of course she is relishing. She says it’s the small things – like him making her cups of tea and lighting candles in the evenings – that’s making a huge difference and making her feel truly appreciated by him.
CHECK OUT Coleen and Wayne's relationship timeline
Wayne and Coleen Rooney's relationship timeline - SLIDER
Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney
Even though they first met at school when they were 12, Wayne and Coleen first started dating after they finished school at the age of 16.
2002
At just 17 Wayne joined Everton football club and even though they'd only been dating a year Coleen admitted that they had already discussed getting married.At the time she admitted: "We want to spend the rest of our lives together and there's no stronger commitment than getting married."
2003
The happy couple got engaged in 2003 at a petrol station after Wayne got down on one knee. He asked his childhood sweetheart to spend the rest of their lives together with a £46,500 engagement ring.
2004
Coleen discovered that Wayne slept with a 48-year-old nan in a brothel back in 2002
2005
The WAG then defended her fiancé and admitted when he cheated they hadn't slept together yet. She added, "we weren't having that kind of relationship at that stage."
2007
Wayne and Coleen looked totally loved up at a public event a year before they got married
2008
At the age of 22, Wayne and Coleen tied the knot in a church in Italy!
2008
2009
2009 – A year after their wedding, the happy couple welcomed their first child Kai into the world
2010
Just a year after they had their first child it was alleged that while Coleen was pregnant, Wayne cheated with prostitutes Jennifer Thompson and Helen Wood.
2010
Even though Coleen and Kai moved out of their family home following the allegations, the married couple put their troubles aside and reunited.
2013
The happy couple look so adorable with their son Kai while they await the arrival of their second child
2013
The Rooneys welcomed their second baby into the world – Klay
2016
In 2016, the Rooney family welcome baby Kit into the world
2017
During the summer holidays Coleen denied being pregnant after this photo emerged (even though she was)
2017
After denying her pregnancy for weeks the happy couple soon confirmed the exciting news - that they're having their fourth child!
2017
It was shortly after the Rooneys announced they're having their fourth child that Wayne was pictured and arrested for drunk driving.
2017
Things went from bad to worst after it came to light that Wayne was driving Laura Simpson's car. She then spoke out and claimed that they "had a kiss, a hug, some banter, harmless fun".
2017
It was then reported that Coleen along with her sons had fled from the family home after revealing her marriage was over.
2017
Following the scandal, Wayne received a driving ban for two years following his arrest and Laura appeared on This Morning to deny ever cheating with the footballer.
2017
After weeks of speculation around the couples marriage, it appeared that all was forgiven and forgotten as it was reported that the pair were planning on renewing their wedding vows.
2017
Coleen then surprised everyone by being totally honest in a Facebook post and admitted that although she's been through a "shit time" she decided to forgive her husband because she wants to "try and continue our marriage and live as a family".
2018
In February 2018 the Rooney family got even bigger as the happy couple welcomed their fourth child into the world - baby Cass!Yup. They broke their tradition with names beginning with 'K' but the little is adorable so who cares, ey?
2018
The happy couple celebrated their 10-year wedding anniversary by sharing a collage of the years they've spent together. Coleen wrote alongside her Instagram snap: "Today we are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary!!! Time goes so quick.... so many great times together to remember ❤ufe0f "
2018
The footballer also posted a dozen snaps of his wife and wrote alongside the post: "Celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary today. Amazing memories with @coleen_rooney and lots more to make ❤ufe0f "
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“Coleen knows that he has her best intentions at heart and she truly believes him when he says he won’t take her for granted ever again. It’s ironic that, during isolation, Coleen has felt the least lonely she has in years as it’s given her her husband back.
“She’ll miss him when he returns to football in a few weeks, but at least she won’t worry about him again when he is away from home, as she feels she can trust him now.”
Coleen has posted evidence of her happiness online, including proudly showing her husband helping their eldest boys – Kai, Klay, seven, and Kit, four – with their schoolwork, as well as making Easter crafts and taking part in the “clap for carers”. The family, which includes youngest son Cass, two, are isolating at their “dream” £20m, 120-acre Cheshire mansion, where building work has resumed and will include a £150k walk-in wine cellar and a golf course for Wayne.
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The source adds, “Coleen and Wayne were thrown into the spotlight from a very young age, and for the majority of their relationship, Wayne has frequently worked away while Coleen has been at home caring for the kids. This is the first time they have had total privacy in a long time together as a couple – as a result, it’s allowed her to properly relax, which has done wonders for their relationship and reignited the spark between them.”
And friends say the timing has been a “godsend”, after Coleen has suffered a stressful year following the backlash she received for her so-called WAGatha Christie investigation, which is now set to go to court after she and Rebekah reached stalemate following their Zoom video mitigation last month.
The source adds, “Regardless of what Coleen did, she doesn’t like drama, so living as they are now – without any attention or outside influence – has been such a relief, and she says she wishes the rest of their lives could be lived like this.”