‘Unbelievable what nonsense these people will make up! Me and Ben messing about squishing up each other’s faces cos that’s how we show affection’
Clare Stokes denies claims of ‘choke hold’ on her by cricketer husband Ben
Ben Stokes and his wife have fiercely denied claims that England’s World Cup star hit out at her after pictures were published of an alleged confrontation during an awards ceremony.
The Guido Fawkes website published images which it claimed showed Clare Stokes being held in a “choke hold” by her husband at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards last week. Last night the couple dismissed the “unbelievable” and “nonsense” claims, saying he was playfully showing affection for her when his arm was raised.
Their version of events was supported by the England and Wales Cricket Board, which refuted the allegations, while acknowledging “for the millions who are impacted by domestic violence, this is a very real and serious issue”. The photographer who took the images has told The Daily Telegraph he could not be sure the incident was even a row.
Earlier, the website, which specialises in media and Westminster gossip, had claimed its pictures showed how a fight had ensued after “Clare tells Ben she doesn’t want to hear it, speak to the hand”. “All of a sudden Stokes grabs his wife Clare in a choke hold and then she either falls back, pulls away or is pushed back by him.”
However, less than two hours after the story was published, Clare wrote in a message shared by her husband on Twitter: “Unbelievable what nonsense these people will make up! Me and Ben messing about squishing up each other’s faces cos that’s how we show affection and some pap tries to twist it in to a crazy story! And all before we then have a romantic Mcdonalds 20 mins later!” The message shows her touching her husband’s face.
Stokes, in his Daily Mirror colum, says he had “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”. He added: “We’ve a wonderful relationship and I never tire of saying how lucky I am to be with her. To falsify and spread these kind of allegations so willingly is totally irresponsible.”
The images were taken at around midnight shortly after Stokes had paid glowing tribute to Clare, who days later turned 30. His words came during an acceptance speech for his player-of-the-year award at the Roundhouse in Camden, north London. None of the other players were allowed to bring their wives.
Tom Harrison, the ECB’S chief executive, said: “We have spoken with both Clare and Ben – as well as others in attendance – who have all clarified the innocent context behind the still photographs. Whilst it is not the case here, we recognise that for the millions who are impacted by domestic violence, this is a very real and serious issue.’’
Guido Fawkes had claimed earlier that the story of their alleged confrontation had been covered up by sports journalists, but several attendees at the event said the couple had been in good spirits.
Last night the photographer behind the images claimed another partygoer had earlier “said something or did something that made Ben’s wife angry”. Eventually, he said, “Ben and his wife came through to the passageway leading to the outside. That’s when he raised his hand to her face. It wasn’t obvious whether they were having a row or whether he did it as a joke.”
Stokes, cleared of affray at Bristol Crown Court last year following a street brawl, is tipped to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The all-rounder underpinned England’s maiden World Cup win as well as the Ashes series draw with Australia. His match-winning performances in the World Cup final and his 135 not out in the third Test at Headingley rank alongside the greatest batting performances in English cricket.
The claims yesterday were the second time in a month Stokes, 28, and the ECB, have attacked reports surrounding his private life. Stokes previously said reports of his mother’s first son and daughter being killed four years before he was born were “immoral” and “heartless”.