Coleen Rooney reacts as Rebekah Vardy issues defamation lawsuit

The warring WAGs face a court battle

Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

They’ve been feuding since last year when Coleen Rooney accused Rebekah Vardy of selling stories about her to a tabloid newspaper and now the WAGatha Christie scandal has taken a new turn after Rebekah filed a defamation lawsuit against the mum of four.

Following reports she was seeking a public apology from her fellow WAG, Rebekah’s issued court proceedings by lodging a claim that she was libelled or slandered by Coleen. The pair now face a High Court battle to resolve their dispute.

Coleen has responded to Rebekah in a statement released by her lawyer saying she was saddened that the former I’m A Celeb star chose to take legal action.

Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy
©Getty

The statement read, “It is disappointing that Mrs Vardy has chosen to issue court proceedings.

“Coleen feels that the time and money involved could be put to better use; her offer to meet face to face still stands.

“Mrs Vardy’s decision to issue court proceedings does at least mean that Coleen’s evidence can be made public when the time is right.”

CHECK OUT Coleen and Wayne Rooney's relationship from the start

Gallery

Wayne and Coleen Rooney's relationship timeline - slider

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney1 of 23
CREDIT: Facebook / coleenrooney

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney

Even though they first met at school when they were 12, Wayne and Coleen first started dating after they finished school at the age of 16.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney2 of 23
CREDIT: Rex

2002

At just 17 Wayne joined Everton football club and even though they'd only been dating a year Coleen admitted that they had already discussed getting married.At the time she admitted: "We want to spend the rest of our lives together and there's no stronger commitment than getting married."

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney3 of 23

2003

The happy couple got engaged in 2003 at a petrol station after Wayne got down on one knee. He asked his childhood sweetheart to spend the rest of their lives together with a £46,500 engagement ring.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney4 of 23
CREDIT: Facebook / coleenrooney

2004

Coleen discovered that Wayne slept with a 48-year-old nan in a brothel back in 2002

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney5 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2005

The WAG then defended her fiancé and admitted when he cheated they hadn't slept together yet. She added, "we weren't having that kind of relationship at that stage."

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney6 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2007

Wayne and Coleen looked totally loved up at a public event a year before they got married

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney7 of 23
CREDIT: Twitter / ColeenRoo

2008

At the age of 22, Wayne and Coleen tied the knot in a church in Italy!

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney8 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2008

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney9 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2009

2009 – A year after their wedding, the happy couple welcomed their first child Kai into the world

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney10 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2010

Just a year after they had their first child it was alleged that while Coleen was pregnant, Wayne cheated with prostitutes Jennifer Thompson and Helen Wood.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney11 of 23
CREDIT: Twitter / ColeenRoo

2010

Even though Coleen and Kai moved out of their family home following the allegations, the married couple put their troubles aside and reunited.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney12 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2013

The happy couple look so adorable with their son Kai while they await the arrival of their second child

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney13 of 23
CREDIT: Facebook / coleenrooney

2013

The Rooney's welcomed their second baby into the world – Klay

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney14 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2016

In 2016, the Rooney family welcome baby Kit into the world

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney15 of 23
CREDIT: Flynet

2017

During the summer holidays Coleen denied being pregnant after this photo emerged (even though she was)

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney16 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / waynerooney

2017

After denying her pregnancy for weeks the happy couple soon confirmed the exciting news - that they're having their fourth child!

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney17 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2017

It was shortly after the Rooney's announced they're having their fourth child that Wayne was pictured and arrested for drunk driving.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney18 of 23
CREDIT: Getty Images

2017

Things went from bad to worst after it came to light that Wayne was driving Laura Simpson's car. She then spoke out and claimed that they "had a kiss, a hug, some banter, harmless fun".

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney19 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2017

It was then reported that Coleen along with her sons had fled from the family home after revealing her marriage was over.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney20 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2017

Following the scandal, Wayne received a driving ban for two years following his arrest and Laura appeared on This Morning to deny ever cheating with the footballer.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney21 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2017

After weeks of speculation around the couples marriage, it appeared that all was forgiven and forgotten as it was reported that the pair were planning on renewing their wedding vows.

Wayne Rooney Coleen Rooney22 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2017

Coleen then surprised everyone by being totally honest in a Facebook post and admitted that although she's been through a "shit time" she decided to forgive her husband because she wants to "try and continue our marriage and live as a family".

Coleen Rooney and Wayne Rooney23 of 23
CREDIT: Instagram / coleenrooney

2018

In February 2018 the Rooney family got even bigger as the happy couple welcomed their fourth child into the world - baby Cass!Yup. They broke their tradition with names beginning with 'K' but the little is adorable so who cares, ey?

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Rebekah will have to detail why she believes her reputation has been damaged by Coleen’s now infamous social media statement in the court battle, which it’s thought could cost both WAGs £500,000 in legal fees.

But, according to a source close to her, Rebekah is determined to clear her name no matter the cost.

“It’s not about money. As far as Becky is concerned, she wants her costs and vindication,” they told The Sun. “But since Coleen still refuses to agree to an apology, she’s gone ahead with filing the paperwork at the High Court.”

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Rebekah previously discussed the aftermath of her fallout with Coleen in a tearful appearance on Loose Women.

“It was really, really hard,” she told the panel show. “It is probably up there with one of the worst things that I have had to deal with apart from being abused when I was younger.”

She added, “The trolling was the worst part for me. I have been trolled before and I do get it all the time, but it escalated off the back of this. I ended up with severe anxiety attacks. I ended up in hospital three times. I ended up with kidney stones.”

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