WAGs loved up in lockdown
Coleen: ‘Wayne has really stepped up’
When Coleen Rooney sparked one of the most discussed showbiz stories in years by publicly pointing a finger at Rebekah Vardy’s Instagram account as the source of leaked stories about her last October, friends expressed their surprise that the “very private” WAG had turned the spotlight on herself.
Her pal Lizzie Cundy told Closer the outburst was unusual as Coleen “wants a quiet life away from any drama”, after her husband’s often unruly antics had placed her under much scrutiny. Over the years, he has been subject to numerous cheating allegations, including allegations of a threesome with sex workers Jenny Thompson and Helen Wood when Coleen, 33, was pregnant with their eldest son Kai, now ten, and drink-driving in party girl Laura Simpson’s car in 2017.
These betrayals were dredged up again by Rebekah supporters after her spat with Coleen – and it didn’t help when, in the days following Coleen’s big reveal, her husband was seen partying at a nightclub in the US surrounded by scantilyclad waitresses while she was at home in the UK with their children. But with Derby County player-coach Wayne, 34, being at home for three months due to the pandemic halting the football season – although it will now resume in two weeks’ time, on 17 June – insiders say it’s given the couple some muchneeded time to rebuild trust.
GRATITUDE
A source says, “Lockdown has been a ‘make or break’ test for many relationships and, luckily for Coleen and Wayne, it’s brought them closer together. After her row with Rebekah, Coleen had seen comments calling her a hypocrite for accepting her husband’s numerous betrayals, then letting rip at Rebekah. Understandably, she felt some humiliation, and before lockdown she was constantly on edge in case Wayne did something else to prove her critics right.
“But Coleen has always credited Wayne for being an amazing dad. During lockdown, he has really thrown himself into homeschooling the boys, which she says is adorable to see. Being at home so much has made Wayne realise how much Coleen does for their family when he’s not there, so he has been consciously paying her more attention as a way to show his gratitude, which of course she is relishing. She says it’s the small things – like him making her cups of tea and lighting candles in the evenings – that’s making a huge difference and making her feel truly appreciated by him.
TRUST
“Coleen knows that he has her best intentions at heart and she truly believes him when he says he won’t take her for granted ever again. It’s ironic that, during isolation, Coleen has felt the least lonely she has in years as it’s given her her husband back.
“She’ll miss him when he returns to football in a few weeks, but at least she won’t worry about him again when he is away from home, as she feels she can trust him now.”
Coleen has posted evidence of her happiness online, including proudly showing her husband helping their eldest boys – Kai, Klay, seven, and
Kit, four – with their schoolwork, as well as making Easter crafts and taking part in the “clap for carers”. The family, which includes youngest son Cass, two, are isolating at their “dream” £20m, 120-acre Cheshire mansion, where building work has resumed and will include a £150k walkin wine cellar and a golf course for Wayne.
PRIVACY
The source adds, “Coleen and Wayne were thrown into the spotlight from a very young age, and for the majority of their relationship, Wayne has frequently worked away while Coleen has been at home caring for the kids. This is the first time they have had total privacy in a long time together as a couple – as a result, it’s allowed her to properly relax, which has done wonders for their relationship and reignited the spark between them.”
And friends say the timing has been a “godsend”, after Coleen has suffered a stressful year following the backlash she received for her so-called WAGatha Christie investigation, which is now set to go to court after she and Rebekah reached stalemate following their Zoom video mitigation last month.
The source adds, “Regardless of what Coleen did, she doesn’t like drama, so living as they are now – without any attention or outside influence – has been such a relief, and she says she wishes the rest of their lives could be lived like this.”