Let’s be honest, it’s been a year of pretty grim news and, even worse, not nearly enough proper celebrity scandal (being locked in their mansions for most of the year kept even the naughtiest types relatively scot-free). But last week, one selfless soul by the name of Dominic West decided that enough was enough, and took it upon himself to serve up to the nation the most enthralling showbiz story we’ve seen since Coleen Rooney tweeted, “It’s…Rebekah Vardy’s account.”
And the funny thing is, we’re pretty sure we’ve seen him playing the same role before...
It all started early last week, when the 51 year old was pictured looking distinctly overly friendly with national treasure Lily James, 31, as they zipped around Rome together, scooched up close on an electric scooter.
Pictures of the pair – who filmed a BBC adaptation of Nancy Mitford’s novel The Pursuit of Love back in the summer – cosying up over an al afresco lunch in the sun, as Dominic nuzzled Lily’s neck, thundered their way across the ocean to the UK where jaws dropped all over the locked-up land. Especially because Dominic has a wife of 10 years, Catherine FitzGerald. The added fact that he played philandering husband Noah Solloway in US drama series The Affair, of all things, only added to the gossip and talk of scandal.
As far as we could see, all that cuddling, nuzzling and the obvious absence of Dominic’s wedding ring – coupled with the recent news that Lily had finally ended her on/off five-year relationship with actor Matt Smith – made us even more sure that what we were looking at was, indeed, a hot new celeb romance. That Dominic plays Lily’s father in their upcoming BBC series is perhaps a little suprising...but who are we to judge?
But reader, don’t go thinking this is where our story ends… because, as all drama fans know, you've got to expect a few twists and turns. Forty-eight hours after his apparent Roman romance hit the headlines, Dominic returned back to the Wiltshire home he shares with wife Catherine and their four children.
Newspaper sources had reported that Catherine was “fuming” at the pictures of Dominic and Lily and intended to have some “difficult conversations” with her errant husband. Then, in a surprising move, at 10.30AM on 13 October , Dominic and Catherine emerged from their house to face photographers arm in arm, smiling wildly for the cameras, before Catherine handed out a handwritten note. “Our marriage is still strong and we’re very much still together,” they informed the world. “Thank you, Catherine and Dominic.”
Then, as a curtain call, they kissed for the cameras in a forced smooch that won’t be winning them an Emmy anytime soon. Catherine kept her hands in her pocket, Dominic smiled in a way that, some suggested, seemed less tender, more defiant.
And the couple then retreated back inside – and have since, apparently, fled to Catherine’s family estate, Glin Castle in Ireland to lay low.
It's all very odd - in The Affair Noah also has four kids, he also has an affair with a much-younger woman (though of course Dominic's is only an alleged one), also has a wealthy wife with a hefty family inheritence who forgives him for his dalliance.
As for the other protoganist in the story, Lily, some sources claimed she phoned Catherine to reassure her that the photos were innocent but has remained publicly tight lipped.
Meanwhile, while the actress returned to the UK to continue promoting her new film Rebecca, some very awkward comments she’d made just before the Dominic story hit the headlines did her no favours whatsoever. Lily had said, “I think I make mistakes all the time and I feel that’s what life’s about and I would never want to run away from a situation or be too scared to act.”
Oh dear. Questions were also raised as to her own romantic status, as she’d recently been pictured heading back to Hollywood actor Chris Evans’ hotel in July after a night out...
We also have to talk about the rather questionable comments Dominic’s made in the past about monogamy. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar in 2019, he said, “I suppose people suspect that the conventions that we have agreed upon in society, that a man and woman can stay together for life or a certain amount of time without cheating…they’re not really staying together based on anything other than how society thinks they should behave. It’s not the necessarily natural way to be.”
Check out: celebrity splits that shocked the world
RADIO Celebrity splits that shocked the world - stacked
1 of 30Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth
Singer Miley Cyrus split from actor Liam Hemsworth in August 2019, despite only getting married in December 2018. Liam released a statement on Instagram, reading, ''Hi all. Just a quick note to say that Miley and I have recently separated and I wish her nothing but health and happiness going forward.'This is a private matter and I have not made, nor will I be making, any comments to any journalists or media outlets. Any reported quotes attributed to me are false. Peace and Love.'
2 of 30Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris
Taylor Swift and Calvin Harris seemed very loved up with each other, until they split in 2016 and ended things on very bad terms! Calvin even ended up having a Twitter rant about his ex.
3 of 30Jake Roche and Jesy Nelson
Despite popping the question to Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson, Rixton frontman Jake Roche couldn't make his relationship work with Jesy, causing the pair to split in 2016.
4 of 30Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux
After two years of marriage, Friends actress Jennifer Aniston and her husband Justin Theroux announced their split in February 2018. Jen said, "We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship."
5 of 30Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan
After meeting on the set of Step Up in 2006, Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan announced their marriage was over in April 2018. Revealing they are still great friends, the couple decided it was time to go their separate ways after almost nine years of marriage.
6 of 30Jake Quickenden and Danielle Fogarty
Dancing On Ice winner Jake Quickenden and Danielle Fogarty split in April 2018, despite being engaged. Speaking in early May, Jake appeared on Lorraine and said the couple are having time apart to focus on their busy work schedules. However, Jake did add, "There's not a bad word. I was with her on Monday, we still talk and I still love her to bits, but sometimes you've got to go away to come back."
7 of 30Gabby Allen and Marcel Somerville
After meeting on Love Island 2017, things seemed to be going very well for Gabby Allen and former Blazin' Squad member Marcel Somerville. But in May 2018 allegations that Marcel had cheated on Gabby whilst they were on holiday together surfaced, leading Gabby to reportedly 'dump' Marcel.
8 of 30Ariana Grande and Mac Miller
Ariana Grande and Mac Miller announced they had split up in May 2018. The couple had been together for two year and even recorded some duets together. They reportedly chose to end their relationship due to their busy work schedules.
9 of 30Cheryl Tweedy and Liam Payne
After a two year romance and a baby boy, Cheryl Tweedy and Liam Payne announced they'd decided to go their separate ways on Sunday 1st July 2018. Releasing a joint tweet, the statement read, 'We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.' [sic]
10 of 30Alexandra 'Binky' Felstead and Josh 'JP' Patterson
Despite welcoming their daughter India into the world in 2017, Made In Chelsea stars Binky and JP announced their shock split in September 2018. The couple, who vowed to remain friends with their daughter being their number one priority, released a statement on Instagram.
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11 of 30Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson
Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson reportedly split in October 2018 after being engaged for four months.
12 of 30Anna Faris and Chris Pratt
Hollywood actors Anna Faris and Chris Pratt announced their split in August 2017. The pair shocked the world as they always seemed so loved up at events since marrying in 2004.
13 of 30Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
When 'Brangelina' announced they were getting a divorce in 2016, fans were left in shock. The pair had been dating since 2004 and married in 2014. They have six children together.
14 of 30Fergie and Josh Duhamel
Fergie and Josh Duhamel's split rocked fans in September 2017. The couple said, "With absolute love and respect we decided to separate." The pair were married for eight years.
15 of 30Perrie Edwards and Zayn Malik
Former One Direction star Zayn Malik popped the question to Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, but just a few months later Zayn dumped his fiancé by text!
16 of 30Dougie Poynter and Ellie Goulding
Hearts broke all over the world when Ellie Goulding and Dougie Poynter announced their split. After rekindling their romance for a few months, they finally called it quits in 2016. Ellie is now engaged to Caspar Jopling.
17 of 30Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
Another massive shock in the world of celeb relationships! Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes split in 2012 after six years of marriage. The pair share their daughter Suri together.
18 of 30Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow
After 10 years of marriage, actress Gwyneth Paltrow announced her split from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin. The split became famous because the former couple bizarrely entitled it 'Conscious Uncoupling.'
19 of 30Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner split in 2010 but have since remained great friends and co-parent their children.
20 of 30Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney
Pop superstar Lady Gaga shocked her fans in 2016 when she revealed herself and her partner Taylor Kinney were 'taking a break' after a five-year relationship.
21 of 30Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom
They were one of Hollywood's hottest couples, so it was a major shock to fans when Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom announced their split in 2013. The pair had been married for just three years.
22 of 30Millie Mackintosh and Professor Green
Professor Green split with former Made In Chelsea star Millie Mackintosh in 2016, just three years after they married. Millie is now dating her ex-boyfriend Hugo Taylor.
23 of 30Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale
Singers Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale ended their marriage in 2016. The couple have three children together, Zuma, Apollo and Kingston.
24 of 30Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom
They went through a number of ups and downs but Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom's relationship ended after four years of marriage, with Khloe filling for divorce from the basketball player.
25 of 30Will Arnett and Amy Poehler
Will Arnett and Amy Poehler separated back in 2012 after nine years of marriage, but it took until 2016 for the couple's divorce to be finalised!
26 of 30Fern Britton and Phil Vickery
2020 didn't get off to a good start for celeb splits. Following 20 years of marriage, in January Fern Britton and Phil Vickery announce they'd separated.
27 of 30Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green
After nearly 10 years of marriage and three children, actress Megan Fox announced her split from Brian Austin Green in May 2020!
28 of 30Chris Hughes and Jesy Nelson
It had looked like Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson had found her prince in Love Island star Chris Hughes. However, the pair announced their shock split during lockdown in 2020.
29 of 30Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock
America singer Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from her husband Brandon Blackstock in June 2020, following 7 years of marriage.
30 of 30Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
After seven years of marriage and four children together, Kim Kardashian shocked the world at the start of 2021 when she filed for a divorce from her husband Kanye West.
He also told the Evening Standard in 2016 that “women should be more indulgent of affairs,” adding, “It’s daft to kick someone out over a fling, isn’t it? Everyone should turn a blind eye to men’s behaviour between the age of 40 and 50. Let it blow over.” The fact that he’s 51 notwithstanding, the actor’s past comments have led some people to believe that either he and Catherine are in an open marriage, or she’s simply been very “indulgent” of any indiscretions.
Meanwhile, there is of course the other possibility – that this whole thing is just one massive PR stunt. After all, if we look back at those neck-nuzzling photos of Dominic and Lily at lunch, it turns out that the pair were joined by their mutual manager Angharad Wood.
Could their PDA have been a (possibly misguided) attempt to drum up some interest in their upcoming TV series? Or else, divert attention from Dominic’s recent TV faux-pas, when he told Kate Garraway on live TV that he’d “jumped for joy” when he heard that Donald Trump had contracted covid when her husband remains critical in hospital from the virus.
Dominic and Catherine’s odd photocall might support the theory that this is all a performance…not quite The Affair when it comes to production value and story development, but just as fictitious. But then, what does Lily have to gain from the pretence? It’s not as if she needs to up her profile.
As heat went to press, the story was no clearer – but one thing was apparent: Dominic West might just be the most committed method actor of all time.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW.