Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Coleen Rooney addresses ‘nightmare’ Wagatha Christie trial on I’m A Celeb

Rooney shared the ‘disappointing’ reality of the high-profile court case that left her ‘ashamed’

Maira Butt
Tuesday 19 November 2024 05:06 GMT
Comments
I'm A Celeb's Coleen Rooney discusses stress of Rebekah Vardy court case

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Coleen Rooney addressed her “Wagatha Christie” court case against Rebekah Vardy on Monday night’s episode of I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

The 38-year-old TV personality, businesswoman, and wife of England footballer Wayne Rooney, is appearing on the latest season of the reality series, which sees familiar faces undergo a series of gruelling and nauseating challenges.

Ahead of her entrance into the jungle, Rooney, who had long been rumoured to appear on the show, hit out at “rubbish” claims that she would be exempt from challenges on account of medical conditions.

On launch night, she admitted that the libel case brought against her by her former friend, had caused her considerable “stress” and had been very “difficult”.

The Wagatha Christie trial followed a months-long investigation by Rooney into the source of leaked personal stories, which had been sold to The Sun newspaper. She limited her viewers and planted fake stories, eventually revealing that she had narrowed down the alleged culprit to Vardy. Her former friend denied the accusations and said multiple people had access to her account, however a court found in Rooney’s favour.

Loose Women star Jane Moore praised Rooney for her scheming on Monday night (18 November) as she said, “That was epic though what you did!”, referring to the stitch-up.

Podcaster GK Barry then asked if Rooney had been scared of posting the results of her experiment.

“No, because I just didn’t think it would have the impact it did, because I was just that sick and tired of it, it was draining,” the star replied, as she said she was left “ashamed” after the experience.

Vardy lost her libel case against Rooney
Vardy lost her libel case against Rooney (ITV/Getty)

Speaking about matters escalating to court, Rooney added: “That was my worst nightmare to go to court. I felt like it was like putting on a show for the whole world.”

However, she explained that the tone that was taken in referring to the situation became too humorous for her liking.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

“What got me, over the whole thing, was it became a bit of a joke and that’s really disappointing, it wasn’t a joke for me,” she said about the trial. “No one knew the full story.”

The mother-of-four also admitted that she and her husband Wayne “barely see each other” as he is kept away by his new job as manager of the Championship football team Plymouth Argyle.

Instead, Wayne lives most of the week in Salcombe, Devon – a five hour drive away from the family’s home in Cheshire – and drives home to see his wife and children at the weekend.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in