Rebekah Vardy news – live: Coleen Rooney says marriage story hit at ‘vulnerable time’
Follow live on fourth day of trial
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Coleen Rooney has told the High Court she was in a “vulnerable position” when a story about her marriage to Wayne Rooney - that she believes was leaked from her private Instagram - hit the press.
She discussed a story in The Sun about the former England captain being allowed back into the family bed as she took the stand in her libel trial against fellow footballer’s wife Rebekah Vardy.
Ms Rooney also told the court her post naming-and-shaming Ms Vardy’s account as the suspected source of leaks to the press was her “last resort”.
The 36-year-old said she did not tell anyone about the ”sting” operation - which earned her the nickname “Wagatha Christie” when revealed to her followers - to try and work out who was behind the leaks.
Earlier in the morning, Ms Vardy revealed to the court she messaged Peter Andre and his wife about her now-infamous News of the World interview, in which she compared his private anatomy to a “chipolata”.
Ms Rooney is being sued by the wife of Premier League player Jamie Vardy for libel over the story leak accusations.
Rebekah Vardy denies that her agent was ‘monitoring’ Rooney’s social media
Rebekah Vardy told the High Court she discussed Coleen Rooney’s private Instagram account with her agent Caroline Watt “a handful of times”.
Entering the witness box for a fourth day, Ms Vardy explained that Ms Watt had access to her own Instagram account password from 2017 when the TV personality appeared on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!
Under questioning from her barrister Hugh Tomlinson QC, Ms Vardy said she “didn’t give it a second thought” that Ms Watt was able to see Ms Rooney’s private Instagram account.
Asked if she was told by Ms Watt that she was looking at Ms Rooney’s account, Ms Vardy said: “No she didn’t”, adding that it “was not even on my radar” when asked if knew Ms Watt was “monitoring” Ms Rooney’s account.
Rebekah Vardy told the court she sent personal messages to Peter Andre and his wife after News of the World article
Rebekah Vardy has told the High Court that she sent Peter Andre and his wife “personal messages a couple of years ago” to address the comments she made in an explosive News of the World article in 2004.
In the article, Ms Vardy described Mr Andre’s manhood as “like a small chipolata”.
She told the High Court that she regrets the interview and making those comments.
She also alleged that the article included “a lot of things in there that didn’t come out of my mouth, that were misrepresented.”
She added: “There were circumstances around that article that I regret.”
“It’s one of my biggest regrets,” she said, adding that she was “very young” at the time.
Breakdown of courthouse style
With proceedings expected to kick off shortly at 10.30am, let’s take a quick glance at both women’s courthouse style.
Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas from the British School of Fashion, said they are likely using their clothing to communicate the seriousness and importance of the trial.
Saman Javed has taken a closer look at their looks:
Rebekah Vardy vs Coleen Rooney: A breakdown of their courthouse style
Both women have opted for a muted colour palette
Rebekah Vardy, Coleen Rooney and Wayne Rooney arrive at court
Rebekah Vardy, Coleen Rooney and Wayne Rooney have arrived at the High Court.
Coleen Rooney is expected to take to the witness stand later today and she opted for an all-white ensemble for day four of the trial.
What are we expecting today?
Coleen Rooney is expected to start her evidence in the high-profile libel trial at the High Court.
But first, Ms Vardy is due to finish her evidence - which has lasted for around 10 hours so far and seen her become emotional at times.
What is the Vardy v Rooney row about?
While waiting for Rebekah Vardy to briefly take the stand again this morning, here is a quick look at the row with Coleen Rooney:
How the Wagatha Christie row unfolded
Here’s how the public row between the footballers’ wives erupted over the past two and a half years
‘I’d be chomping'
The High Court also heard how Rebekah Vardy messaged Coleen Rooney to express outrage that the latter was having stories leaked to The Sun by an Instagram follower.
Full story here:
Rebekah Vardy sent Coleen Rooney message of sympathy over leaks to The Sun
Model takes stand on third day of trial
‘Wow that’s war'
The court also heard yesterday how Rebekah Vardy reacted to her account being named as the one Coleen Rooney believed was leaking information to the press.
“Wow that’s war,” she text her agent in a message read to the court.
See more:
Texts reveal how Rebekah Vardy responded to Coleen Rooney’s ‘Wagatha Christie’ post
Premier League footballer’s wife says day of post was ‘such a blur’ on third day of libel trial
What happened on Thursday?
Before proceedings kick off today, Holly Bancroft runs through the key points from the third day of the trial:
Key moments from day three of ‘Wagatha Christie’ trial as Vardy breaks down in tears
Rebekah Vardy put on spot about missing messages between her and agent
Good morning. We’re back for another day of coverage of the ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel trial, with Coleen Rooney expected to take the stand today.
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