Choke was just a joke
BEN STOKES SHOCK PIC
CRICKETER Ben Stokes’ wife has denied he attacked her after photos appeared to show him grabbing her by the throat.
Clare Stokes said last night we were just “messing about”.
And Stokes added: “The way this has come across is so far removed from what it was. It was a nothing moment and we squish each other’s faces all the time.”
BEN Stokes last night said he had a “wonderful relationship” with his wife Clare.
He blasted anyone who misread the photo – stressing that domestic abuse was a serious issue.
The cricketer said: “I have become used to people making stuff up about me, but of all the topics not to mess with domestic abuse has to be at the top of the list.
“It’s an incredibly serious issue for thousands of women – and men – who do suffer domestic abuse.
“For it to be toyed with for cheap headlines in this way just damages the cause of those who are abused.
“Clare is a strong, independent woman who can speak for herself.
“We have a wonderful relationship and I never tire of saying how lucky I am to be with her.
“We both had a great night at the PCA Awards last week, ending with us dining out at McDonald’s together.
“To falsify and spread these kind of allegations so willingly is totally irresponsible.
“When we got made aware of the pictures, we were stunned. Clare said she could remember exactly when that was and that we do it all the time.
“People might scoff at that and think, ‘yeah, yeah of course you do’ but we do just mess about so much, especially when you’re having a good time. The way that this has come across is so far removed from what it was. It was a nothing moment and we squish each other’s face all the time.
“It was a stressful 45 minutes or so for us when we first found out, but we wanted to address it as quickly as we could, and my wife made clear her feelings on social media.
“For it to be labelled that way, when there are people who are actually suffering with domestic abuse was very difficult.
“We knew that what we were doing couldn’t be further away from that and we wanted to make that clear.
“The whole week had been fantastic with Clare’s 30th birthday that we had managed to plan around the PCA dinner and then going to Harry Potter World the next day.
Party
“I had kept Clare’s birthday party a surprise for so long having planned it throughout the summer with one of our close friends Sophie and it was a great night with so many of her friends coming along.
“It went down very well, she had no idea about it at all, and the friends that flew in from Australia had actually been over here a few weeks before for a wedding.
“They knew they were coming back but they played it so cool.
“It went down a treat and she was so happy.”
Clare added on Instagram: “Not gonna let some idiots ruin what’s been an incredible 30th birthday. Had the most amazing birthday weekend! Ben planned it all as a surprise.
“Got all my best friends and family there including flying people over from America and Australia!!!! Cried my eyes out!
“It was an incredible night and I’m so grateful to Ben for organising and to everyone who came.”