Coleen Rooney shares unexpected impact Wagatha trial had on marriage to Wayne

10 October 2023 , 08:56

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Coleen is sharing her story for the first time (Image: PA)

Coleen Rooney, who came out on top from a libel case against Rebekah Vardy, has revealed the toll the court case took on her marriage to Wayne Rooney.

During the trial, Coleen was privately battling reactive arthritis, a condition that causes redness and swelling of the joints, which was exacerbated by the stress of the lawsuit. "It caused anxiety and there were a lot of tears," she shares. "I have reactive arthritis, and I've had it previously, but this situation brought it on a lot more than what I've had before."

The stress of the situation also led to significant changes in Coleen's personality. "It stripped me of me, of my character," she says. "I just didn't want to socialise with people at all. I was completely in my own world. There were days when I'd have a teatime phone call with my legal team and I'd end up in files on my computer until midnight. There were also nights when I didn't sleep as things were going through my mind. It drained me of my personality, my energy, and my character. It was not a nice place to be."

Coleen Rooney has spoken on how her marriage with Wayne was affected by the Wagatha trial (Getty Images)

Wayne was constantly at Coleen's side (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Having been at the heart of one of the most significant media storms in recent years, Coleen has found that public support for her is stronger than ever. Observers were taken aback by her calm demeanour and appreciated her honesty. Wayne's unwavering presence in court also cast their marriage in a new light, offering the public a glimpse into the relationship that Coleen has continually strived to preserve.

"I didn't realise how much support I had," concedes Coleen. "Obviously, I know I've got support from my close family and friends, and there were so many messages and phone calls with people just checking in on me. But I'm also really grateful for the public's support, and that's something I've taken away from this whole process. My story never changed from day one, and I was telling the truth. That's all I could do, and that's what I did."

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The remarkable legal dispute began when Coleen, wife of footballer Wayne Rooney, embarked on a mission to discover who was leaking personal stories from her private Instagram account to the press. After strategically planting false stories and adjusting her settings, she initiated a process of elimination which pointed to Rebekah Vardy's account as the source. In a move that captivated the public, Coleen disclosed her findings in her now-famous "It's... Rebekah Vardy's account," post.

Coleen expressed her regret that the case had ever reached court, a sentiment likely shared by Rebekah as she contemplates her dwindling bank balance. Despite the challenges, Coleen acknowledges that these experiences have made her stronger and fortified her relationship with Wayne. "I've lived this life since I was 16 me and Wayne have gone through this together and learned from each other along the way. 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."

The teenage lovers are stronger than ever (INSTAGRAM)

Cate Campbell, a relationship therapist and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, suggests that Coleen's direct approach to problem-solving has contributed to her and Wayne's growth as a couple. "She's owning the past and that obviously works for them," she comments. "It's quite a healthy step in the right direction. They are potentially helping other people by being able to talk about things and about their lives so openly. You've got to give them credit for that."

Throughout the trial, the outfits worn by Coleen and Rebekah became as central to the narrative as their testimonies. Rebekah showcased brands such as Chanel and Alexander McQueen, while Coleen opted for understated styles, even sporting high street brand Zara and a moon boot due to an unfortunate foot fracture. However, despite her fondness for fashion, Coleen insists that her wardrobe choices were not deliberately designed to appear more relatable.

Coleen shared her thoughts on her court attire, stating: "I just looked in my wardrobe to see what I had that was appropriate for court and I worked around that. I'd rather buy a summer holiday wardrobe than a court wardrobe, so I just had a few new pairs of trousers. The press said that I planned to go more 'girl-next-door', but that was what I had in my wardrobe and that is me! Why should I make so much effort to go to court when I didn't even want to be there?"

Reflecting on Rebekah's polished appearance, Coleen expressed some regret about not having her hair styled, but explained that she couldn't face spending time with a hairdresser at the time. "I look back now and think, 'Oh, I should've got a blow dry some of those days!', but I didn't want anyone in my room on those mornings before I went to court. I'd lost weight so some of my clothes had to get taken in, and also I had that boot because I'd broken my foot. The fashion thing wasn't on the top of my list."

Coleen, mother to sons Kai, 13, Klay, 10, Kit, seven, and Cass, five, has expressed her desire to spend more time with her children. Despite residing in a £20 million mansion, she has no interest in employing a full-time nanny. "I'm grateful that I can spend all that time with the children," Coleen firmly states. "There are parents that would love to do what I do, and be at every sports day or parents' evening. Wayne can't do it when he's working but I can. I do have a brilliant lady, Jo, who comes in once a week to help out, but that's enough for my children. My family helps out a lot my mum and dad especially but I know my children want me."

Currently, Wayne is managing Major League Soccer club D.C. United in America. After facing difficulties with a previous move to America, Coleen has chosen to stay with their four boys. "It can be hard," she admits. "I don't want people to think I struggle, but at the moment Wayne is away in America for work, so I'm the sole parent of the family here. I know there are a lot of single parents out there and people who have partners working away, so they'll know it's difficult when it feels like you've got to be in four places at one time!"

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Jen Pharo