Wayne Rooney says Rebekah Vardy Wagatha Christie storm has been ‘traumatic’ for wife Coleen

Wayne Rooney revealed the “trauma” his wife Coleen has suffered during the two-and-a-half year ‘Wagatha Christie’ storm, telling the High Court they are looking forward to the end of the saga.

The former England and Manchester United striker, now manager of Derby County, said he has kept out of the WAG war between Coleen and Rebekah Vardy, but has been by his wife’s side through the libel trial.

“I don’t think anyone wants to be in court. Certainly for me and my wife we don’t want to be in this court”, he said.

“I have watched my wife over the last two-and-a-half years, she has really struggled with everything and what’s gone on.

“She has become a different mother, a different wife.

“It’s been very traumatic for my wife through the situation.

“Hopefully - whatever the judgment is in this case - myself, my wife, our children can go on and live our lives.

“It’s not something we want.”

‘Wagatha Christie’ libel battle between Rebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney Wagatha Christie’ at the Royal Courts Of Justice, London

Rooney was questioned about an alleged incident at Euro 2016, when he says he was asked by England manager Roy Hodgson and assistant manager Gary Neville to speak to Jamie Vardy about his wife’s behaviour.

Rebekah Vardy has signed up to pen a column for The Sun newspaper during the tournament, and Rooney said the FA were worried about “distractions”.

“It was awkward for me to have to speak to a teammate about his wife”, said Rooney.

“We were sat in the games room where the darts board, pool table, and table tennis was. I sat down with Mr Vardy and spoke to him.

“I remember Mr Vardy had a can of Red Bull and I had a coffee. I remember details of the conversation with Jamie because it was such an awkward moment, having to speak to him.”

Rooney said he agreed to the chat as national team captain, and told the court the whole team had previously discussed avoiding off the pitch distractions during the tournament.

“I agreed to speak to Mr Vardy and ask him to speak to his wife, ask him to ask his wife to calm down and not bring any issues off the pitch which was unnecessary.”

Rooney added that he “obviously had bigger things on my mind” but “felt it was necessary” as he had been asked by the manager.

“It was an awkward situation and I’m sure it was an awkward situation for Mr Vardy.”

In her evidence, Rebekah Vardy insisted the conversation did not take place and claimed she had spoken to Rooney over FaceTime when he had dismissed media speculation over the incident as “a load of bollocks”.

“I do recall Mrs Vardy on FaceTime a lot throughout the tournament”, said Rooney.

“When the lads had downtime, the players had darts, pool, and Mrs Vardy was almost there in the team. She was on FaceTime a lot.

“I know I spoke to Jamie, 100 per cent. What he gives off to his wife is entirely his business, and not down to me.”

Later outside court Jamie Vardy’s representatives issued a statement on behalf of the Leicester city footballer, saying: “Wayne is talking nonsense.

“He must be confused because he never spoke to me about issues concerning Becky’s media work at Euro 2016.

“There was nothing to speak about, I know this because I discuss everything with Becky.”

Rooney also spoke in his 28-minute evidence session about his awareness of his wife’s probe into leaks from her Instagram account.

He was completely unaware of her plans when she made the bombshell accusation at the heart of the case, that it was Rebekah Vardy who was the culprit.

Rooney said he was still playing in the US at the time, in October 2019, and had to make a series of calls to his wife and agent to find out what had happened.

He also condemned the abuse Vardy has suffered online as a result of the dispute.

“The abuse Mrs Vardy has received is disgusting”, he said. “It’s not right for a woman to receive that abuse.”

The trial continues.