Faye Brookes' jealous split with Gareth Gates as she finally finds happiness

24 August 2023 , 09:32

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Faye and Gareth had an on-off relationship (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Faye Brookes suffered a jealous split from Gareth Gates after their "real fairy tale" romance ended in pieces – before she finally found her happily ever after.

The former Coronation Street star, 35, said "I do" to her theatre boss beau Iwan Lewis on Wednesday after just a few of months of dating. Yet it took a while for Faye to find true happiness after her public split from Pop Idol star Gareth, 39. The pair were both starring in Legally Blonde The Musical when they met – and Gareth was still married to his now ex-wife Suzanne Mole at the time.

In October 2012, the Pop Idol runner-up announced he had split from his wife after "growing apart" and 10 months later, Gareth and Faye made their first public appearance together as a couple. Faye claimed their relationship was "like no other" and said she needed to keep them "well protected". She shared how, from the moment they met, Gareth was writing songs for her.

Gareth Gates was engaged to Faye Brookes before their relationship came to an end (Gareth Gates/Instagram)

He proposed with a £30k ring (Gareth Gates/Instagram)

Speaking toManchester Evening Newsin October 2015, Faye shared her caution:"Because sometimes when people know how good something is, all they want to do is pull it apart and that can be hard to take.I know that is not what someone’s intention is, and when you see something good it has got to come with some bad things along the way.I am in it with him for the journey, and he is in it with me. And I think it is really nice that he wants me to blossom."

However, the relationship hit a rocky patch in September 2018 when they split for the first time. Gareth explained they were "choosing to take some time apart" while remaining "best friends". Just months later they got back together and quickly took their relationship to the next level in January 2019. A smitten Gareth serenaded Faye with a love song that left them both in tears before proposing. Although Gareth admitted he "got a bit carried away" as the romantic tune on the grand piano went on for a staggering 17 minutes.

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The singer then got down on one knee and presented Faye with a £30,000 four-carat diamond ring. Speaking to OK! magazine at the time, Faye said: "We were both crying the whole way through. Once it was finished, Gareth got down on one knee and said: 'Will you spend the rest of your life with me?' And of course I said yes straight away."

But things weren't meant to be as the couple split up for the second time just months later. In August that year, a source close to the couple told Manchester Evening News: "Faye and Gareth are both extremely sad about their relationship ending. They still care very much about each other and want to remain friends, but the wedding has been called off." Their relationship reportedly turned toxic as they became embroiled in furious rows.

Faye has since found love with Iwan Lewis (CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Faye is said to have felt low on Gareth's list of priorities, yet he still managed to make time to chat with his ex. There were other reports suggesting Gareth dumped Faye because he was 'jealous' of her career. A friend of the couple told The Mirror exclusively: "He was always jealous of Faye's success – we all know that she was branching out on her own and he was feeling a bit left out. He's a very jealous person and likes to be the top dog whereas Faye is devastated as she gave up so much for him."

The actress left her role as Kate Connor on Coronation Street as she was organising their wedding. She had reportedly been planning to enter the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2018 but pulled out after her first split from Gareth left her heartbroken. The couple are said to have split amid allegations of blazing arguments and failing to make their relationship work. Gareth lashed out at 'lies' being 'made up' in the wake of his split from Faye, saying: "The truth will out".

In an Instagram Story, Gareth wrote: "I've learnt over the years that when people make up lies about you, don't rise to it. Stay true to yourself knowing that eventually the truth will out. Wise words by.. erm.. Me," he added. Faye moved on with boyfriend Joe Davies – with the couple going public in December 2019. However it didn't last and the pair later parted ways.

The soap actress fell head over heels for new husband Iwan late last year after the duo first met while Faye was involved in the stage production of Legally Blonde in 2011 and 2012. The lucky-in-love couple shocked fans when they announced their engagement a few months later after he got down on one knee and asked Faye to be his wife and wasted no time in putting a ring on the woman who he knew was 'The One' from the moment he laid eyes on her. They wed this week in a stunning Cotswold ceremony.

Mia O'Hare