Coleen Rooney has told how her blockbuster court case with rival Rebekah Vardy was even tougher to cope with than her marriage problems with Wayne.
Over the years, she’s had to endure multiple claims her husband cheated on her but while that was something she could handle, the clash with Rebekah left her battling crippling health problems and emotional turmoil.
Coleen, 37, says: “Obviously, I’ve been through difficult times in the public eye, especially with my marriage. We’ve both made mistakes in our lives, some bigger than others, but we’ve dealt with it and got on with it. I think that’s what’s made us stronger as people and stronger as a couple.
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“I’ve always held myself together but dealt with it in private, because it’s a private situation. For example, with my marriage, I can sit down with my husband in the house and deal with that.
(Image: PA)
Last year’s court case – which saw Rebekah, 41, sue her for libel over the infamous post Coleen put on Twitter in 2019 claiming her fellow Wag’s account had been used to leak stories to a newspaper – was a much harder challenge. Coleen adds: “I couldn’t sit down with Rebekah in a room and deal with it. From when she issued the court letter, it was all dealt with in the public eye.
“It was out of my control. While other times have been heartbreaking and upsetting, this was stressful.” Mum-of-four Coleen went through two years of hell in the run up to the court battle. “The lowest point was when the court case was getting close,” she recalls.
(Image: Getty Images)
“I’ve never stepped into a courtroom before, and was so scared of getting on that stand. Even though I knew what I believed, it seemed like I was putting on a show for the whole country. I felt ashamed.” It even started to affect her health.
She reveals: “It caused anxiety and there were a lot of tears. I have reactive arthritis. I’ve had it previously, but this situation brought it on a lot more. It stripped me of me, of my character, and I just didn’t want to socialise with people at all. It drained me of my personality, my energy, and my character. It was not a nice place to be. I would be on the phone crying.”
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Coleen got through it thanks to unwavering support from Wayne, 37, who she wed in 2008. She says: “Wayne was really supportive all the way through, telling me, ‘You’ve done nothing wrong, carry on and tell the truth and people will see you for you.’ It was those comments that would pick me up.”
The case ended with a judge ruling in Coleen’s favour. And while it was cause for celebration, her main feeling was relief it was over.
She says: “The court case has made me realise how precious family time is, because I was wrapped up in it for so long and my mind was elsewhere.
(Image: Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)
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“Even though I was looking after and caring for the children, I was always thinking about the court case and what was going to happen next. That’s quite sad, but it really consumed my life for a few years, so it’s a weight off my shoulders now.” She adds: “After that last day in court, we went away as Wayne had just finished his season of football and we had that window of time for a family holiday. That was one of the best holidays of my life.”
Coleen has opened up about the saga for an explosive new TV series. The three-parter features interviews with her and Wayne as well as presenter Piers Morgan and sports agent Paul Stretford. And she’s promising fans will find out new details about what really went on. She says: “I feel like you still haven’t heard the whole story of what and how everything happened. This series will tell you my side, from beginning to end.”
Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story is streaming on Disney+ from October 18
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
