Cheryl’s £2m step towards fresh start
WHEN Sara Wilson’s rugby star husband told her he knew he was gay throughout their marriage, she thought her agony could not get any worse.
But her pain doubled when he then admitted flirting with men online – and she became convinced his betrayal had gone much further, despite his denials.
As Sara and rugby league star Keegan Hirst agreed to part, she decided her best hope of closure was to seek divorce on the grounds of his suspected adultery.
Yet Sara, 31, was not to get the peace of mind she craved – because the law says adultery can only happen between a man and a woman.
Sara said: “I thought by saying adultery in the divorce papers I’d have it in black and white. I was shocked to find I could if I believed he cheated with a woman, but not with a man.”
CHANGE
Instead, the couple agreed to divorce in January for “unreasonable behaviour”, though neither was happy about it.
And Sara’s belief she has now been cheated not just by her husband but also by the law has led her to campaign for a change in the divorce rules. She said: “Is it less of a betrayal if he slept with a man? No – so the process should be the same.”
Keegan, captain of West Yorkshire rugby league side Batley Bulldogs, has always maintained he did not cheat. He now has a partner, after coming out in an interview with the Sunday Mirror in August last year – the first openlygay British rugby league pro.
Mum- of- three Sara said: “I’ve always believed he cheated. The law now accepts sames e x m a r r iage. Divorce needs to adjust for samesex affairs. If I’d fought and lost then fine.” Sara said grounds of unreasonable behaviour were their only option, adding: “Neither of us wanted to put that. It’s like saying it’s unreasonable to be gay, when what I object to isn’t his sexuality.
“But I couldn’t fudge the truth – and it would be disrespectful to being gay. The law is out of sync with 21st century life – I believe he cheated and wanted my chance to say so in court.”
Keegan’s spokesman said: “He has no interest in publicly discussing his marriage. His priority is working with Sara to bring up their children.”
But last August he said: “I was always faithful. I’ve never cheated on her.”
Sara revealed she has begun to date, but cannot yet trust another man. But she said: “I’d feel like that if Keegan had left me for a woman. It’s about the betrayal, not the gender.”
The law now allows same-sex marriage, divorce should recognise same-sex affairs SARA WILSON EX-WIFE OF RUGBY LEAGUE STAR KEEGAN HIRST
CHERYL Fernandez-Versini is shutting the firm she set up to handle her earnings, pocketing nearly £2million.
The move comes as she nears settlement of her multi-million pound divorce from husband Jean-Bernard.
A source says the liquidation of Cherco Productions will be part of the 32-year-old star’s “restructuring” of her life after finding happiness with One Direction star Liam Payne.
Paperwork filed with Companies House confirms Cheryl plans to wind up the firm, leaving a surplus of £1,951,000. The insider said: “It seems Cheryl is restructuring and reorganising the way she does things. At a time when she’s keen to make a fresh start it all makes sense. She’s so much happier and carefree, and really enjoying being back in the studio making music.”
Cheryl’s divorce from French club boss Jean-Bernard, 35, turned sour as they struggled to agree a deal.
He posted thinly-veiled jibes at her fidelity, but Cheryl has insisted the claims are false. Her relationship with Liam, 22, is said to be going from strength to strength after he won approval from her family and friends.
A source previously said: “Liam realises how important Cheryl’s mum Joan is in her life, and wanted her to know just how serious he is.
“She’s delighted they’re getting on so well. Each time Liam meets Joan they get on better and better.”