Just 11 weeks after announcing her ten-year marriage to husband Jesse Wood was over, Fearne Cotton appears to have found love again and has already gone public with her new man.
The Happy Place podcaster, 43, was seen kissing TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53, during a night out in London, reportedly leaving both their exes ‘devastated’.
A source said, ‘Jesse was so upset when they split. He knew Fearne had started a relationship with Elliot and that has been tough. But to see them kissing in the street and laughing with her friends is a bitter pill to swallow. He was married to Fearne for ten years and he loved every inch of her.’
Meanwhile, Elliot’s estranged wife Laura, with whom he shares three children, was reportedly blindsided by his new relationship.
‘Laura is totally shocked and devastated because she only knew about Elliot being with Fearne when she saw the pictures all over the media. Imagine finding out that your husband’s moved on so quickly like that?’ an insider said. ‘She’s already going through a difficult time, and this has just added to her heartbreak. It wasn’t an easy split because there are also children involved.’
It’s thought that Fearne and Elliot, who worked on Disney+ show Rivals and Ted Lasso, began their romance earlier this year after splitting from their partners. She and Jesse – the son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie – announced their split in December, while Elliot ended his marriage ten days later, on Boxing Day.
‘Fearne and Elliot have known each other for a while. When their marriages ended their friendship developed into romance. They have been seeing each other since January,’ an insider said.
‘Her split with Jesse was incredibly difficult but Elliot seems to make her incredibly happy. Fearne is now introducing Elliot to friends and they’re pleased to see her smiling again.’
Fearne – who shares son Rex, 11, and daughter Honey, eight, with Reef guitarist Jesse – said their children remains the couple’s priority amid their split.
‘It’s with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority has been, and will always be, our children,’ she said.
She previously admitted that their marriage was ‘suffering’ after she and Jesse, 48, went through ‘turbulent’ times. ‘Jesse and I hit a rough patch – he was away, touring relentlessly… We were both desperately clinging on to our marriage,’ she said in 2019.