When the history books speak of the Great WAG War, they will point to this week as being a real turning point.
After months of escalating tensions between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, things are coming to a head as the pair go to the High Court – with a new report saying Coleen has written a “blank cheque” for the legal battle. In fact, friends say she’s become increasingly obsessed with the feud and she’s willing to risk everything – money, reputation, her private life being exposed to the world – rather than back down.
“Coleen is really feeling the pressure, but she can’t let it go,” says an insider close to the 34 year old, who has four children with husband Wayne.
“Up until now, Coleen was in the driving seat with this feud. She was the one who went public with it, she was running the show and refusing to back down. But things are changing with Rebekah taking her to court for libel. Coleen has a lot to lose and risks having all sorts come out during the legal proceedings. This case is about Coleen’s private life, so it will all be a matter of record – not to mention the potential millions this could all cost.
Check out: Coleen and Wayne Rooney's ups and downs
Wayne and Coleen Rooney's relationship timeline - slider
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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.
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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."
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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.
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Coleen discovered that Wayne slept with a 48-year-old nan in a brothel back in 2002
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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."
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Wayne and Coleen looked totally loved up at a public event a year before they got married
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At the age of 22, Wayne and Coleen tied the knot in a church in Italy!
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2009 – A year after their wedding, the happy couple welcomed their first child Kai into the world
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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.
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Even though Coleen and Kai moved out of their family home following the allegations, the married couple put their troubles aside and reunited.
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The happy couple look so adorable with their son Kai while they await the arrival of their second child
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The Rooney's welcomed their second baby into the world – Klay
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In 2016, the Rooney family welcome baby Kit into the world
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During the summer holidays Coleen denied being pregnant after this photo emerged (even though she was)
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After denying her pregnancy for weeks the happy couple soon confirmed the exciting news - that they're having their fourth child!
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It was shortly after the Rooney's announced they're having their fourth child that Wayne was pictured and arrested for drunk driving.
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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".
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It was then reported that Coleen along with her sons had fled from the family home after revealing her marriage was over.
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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?
“The trouble is, Coleen’s so convinced she’s in the right. She wants to be vindicated, no matter the professional and personal cost. She seems to be obsessed with this and getting one over on Becky.”
As heat has reported, this madness has been going on since October, when “Wagatha Christie” – aka Coleen – claimed on Instagram that “Rebekah Vardy’s account” was responsible for leaking stories about her to the tabloids, something Becky has always strongly denied. With Becky now suing her former friend for defamation, and attempts at mediation failing miserably, reports last week said that, although Coleen had dropped plans to counter-sue for breach of privacy, she had vowed to write a “blank cheque” for lawyers to fight Becky’s claim.
But an insider tells heat that this could all be bluster. “It’s damage limitation,” we’re told. “These seem like the actions of someone who’s very panicked and desperate to scare Rebekah, trying to buy time while they figure out what to do. But Coleen also knows she’s got a lot of support in the WAG world.”
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This follows a story last week that claimed some of the other footballing wives and girlfriends were siding with Coleen, and have formed a WhatsApp group to “voice concerns” about whether Rebekah or her associates had leaked sensitive information, after photographers turned up unannounced when a group of them went out for a meal during the 2018 World Cup.
They were concerned after the Coleen allegations, although Becky has always denied leaking stories about anyone.
Despite this, we’re told Coleen is seemingly starting to worry about losing this battle and what that would mean for her. “If this case goes against her, the Rooneys will never recover,” says the source. “It would haunt them for a long, long time, and could impact Wayne’s career, too. He’s furious this is still going on and has told his wife to do whatever it takes to end it now. He says he won’t let her drag their lives through court. But it would kill Coleen to have to say sorry in public and let Rebekah win.”
The insider adds, “She can’t believe it’s come to this – but she’s still not ready to back down.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW. Can't get to the shops? Find out how to get hold of your copy here.