It’s been a year since she famously accused former friend Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account of being the source of leaked stories about her private life. And while she was originally hailed as “brave” for her WAGatha Christie reveal, things have since turned sour for Coleen Rooney.
Last week, while Rebekah – who has vehemently denied the claims and is suing Coleen for defamation – was hailed for her charity work as ambassador of Barnado’s and said she was “so grateful” to be taking part on one of TV’s biggest shows, Dancing On Ice, Coleen suffered yet another blow when husband Wayne’s murky past made headlines again.
A serialisation of a new autobiography by former Arsenal footballer Nicklas Bendtner has shockingly claimed that the use of prostitutes among footballers is common, calling it a “widespread phenomenon”.
Wayne’s previous dalliances with sex workers have been widely reported. He admitted to visiting a Liverpool brothel ten times in 2004, and in 2010, escorts Helen Wood and Jenny Thompson alleged they’d had a threesome with Wayne.
Nicklas’ autobiography also claimed that Wayne and Manchester City player Kyle Walker were the “unlucky” ones who’d been “caught red-handed”. He wrote, “It’s a real shame those lads have been portrayed as particularly nasty guys. That’s not necessarily true. But they’ve probably been more careless or unlucky than average. They’ve only been caught red-handed with their pants down.”
Despite him defending Wayne, bringing up his past sex shame couldn’t have come at a worse time for wife Coleen, as it’s just weeks until she comes face to face with nemesis Rebekah at their High Court showdown in November.
Legal experts have previously told Closer that private details such as these could be dragged up again in court, which Coleen will want to avoid. Meanwhile, fans had taken to social media to question why she publicly took Rebekah to task for believing she’d betrayed her, but has stuck by her husband.
And Nicklas’ account of footballers sleeping with prostitutes has further fuelled public interest. One fan commented on the extract, “Wouldn’t most men with vast amounts of disposal income enjoy the services of gorgeous women willing to do as they wish while away from home?”
In recent years, Wayne has expressed his “regret” for his “foolish” actions, while Coleen said in 2010 that it was “painful for her family.”
Check out: a look back at Coleen and Wayne Rooney's relationship
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 "
Now her pal Lizzie Cundy, who herself was married to a lovecheat footballer, Chelsea star Jason Cundy, says having it constantly mentioned is “embarrassing”.
She says, “People will read things [like this] about your business and – I’ve been there – it’s so embarrassing. I think [Wayne’s cheating] coming up again will be really tough on Coleen, and it’s the last thing she needs right now with this huge court case looming, which everyone is going to be talking about. It’ll be extremely annoying for her that talk about his past sex shame still plagues their marriage.
“I don’t believe Coleen wants this court case – not because she thinks she’s wrong, but because she didn’t want to spend all this time on it, and especially because it’s going to be on every front page. Yet again, their family name is getting dragged through the mud, and I’m sure she’ll be devastated, thinking, ‘Not more of these awful stories being dug up again’.”
While Coleen has mostly stayed quiet on Wayne’s past scandals, she did speak out in 2017, when she admitted their marriage was rocked after he was caught drink-driving party girl Laura Simpson’s car after a night out.
In a lengthy Facebook post, she blasted her husband as “stupid and selfish”, but insisted she was staying with him and she was “still in love” with him. Laura later told her side of the story on This Morning, claiming they had kissed and that she would have slept with him had they not been caught.
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Lizzie says that having constant talk of his infidelity is naturally still a shadow over their marriage, explaining, “Even though it’s in the past, it keeps cropping up again, which is clearly going to be a strain [on a marriage].
“When something like this has happened, it’s a major part of your life and you’re both going through it and reliving it. But she’s strong and she will get over this being dredged up again because she has a bigger battle ahead with the court case. I think it’ll make her and Wayne stronger as they always stick together.
“And for people saying she’s a fool, I think she is braver and stronger to stick by him and keep her family together. People will say it’s for the lifestyle, but they’re wrong. It’s because she’s putting her sons first and she loves them more than anything. I think it’s quite admirable.”
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