Coleen Rooney has put an end to speculation about her marriage to footballer husband Wayne, with an uncharacteristically candid post on her Facebook page.
Over the past few months, Coleen and Wayne’s relationship has been at the centre of ongoing rumours, after he was pulled over in September for driving under the influence while at the wheel of a car owned by a woman he’d met earlier that night.
Coleen had remained quiet on the reports surrounding her marriage, but she’s now broken her silence in a lengthy Facebook post.
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Wayne and Coleen Rooney
Dave Thompson - PA Images via Getty Images
Addressing multiple photos of her that had been published without her wedding ring, Coleen explained: “It didn’t feel right wearing my ring, I see it as a sign of commitment and I was unsure what was happening. I don’t always wear my ring day to day, especially when I go the gym which is where I get stalked by paps each morning. So, if I don’t always have it on, maybe it’s just because [I’m] going the gym or haven’t put it on before the school run.
“A few people have been feeling sorry for me, please don’t… I don’t feel sorry for myself. Also a few people are probably thinking [I am] stupid for staying in my marriage. I am not stupid, I know my own mind and it’s something I want to try and work on.”
Confirming that she and Wayne have not split up, she continued: “Before the headlines start.... No, I’m not taking Wayne back as he’s never left. Yes, it has been a shit time, and yes, time was spent apart and I thought my marriage might have been at an end.
“There [have] been so many stories in the press, so many sources chipping in, so called friends having their say and a few well-known names giving their opinion.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion on things, I often do. However please make an opinion based on true facts. I am in the public eye and do expect to get intrusion, however, the amount we have received has been uncalled for.
“Remember we are people, we have feelings, and as I always say to my children .... don’t do or say to others what you wouldn’t like done or said to yourself or your loved ones. Also, I really hope the money that people got paid for their say has really benefited both you and your families.”
Defending Wayne, she added: “Wayne doesn’t get portrayed for the person he is in the press, he has always had a hard time.
“I’m not going to list his good qualities as a person as I don’t think he deserves it at this time but one thing is that he is a brilliant dad. He’s made silly and selfish mistakes, some he’s learnt from, some obviously not. However maybe that will change?”
Coleen concluded: “If I didn’t [love Wayne] then I wouldn’t be trying to make it work. I know I would be fine on my own, with just me and my children, but I don’t want to live like that, I want to try and continue our marriage and live as a family, because that’s what I want to do.
“I’m not saying everything is fine and forgotten about, but we are as good as can be at this point, I’m not the type of person to put a show on and say we’re all loved-up…. I’m just real.”
Let's be honest, break-ups can be messy, particularly in the glare of the spotlight, so it's good to see when two celebrities can put their differences aside and still be friends, as Cameron and Justin did - even eventually going on to star in 'Bad Teacher' together. (credit:Jim Spellman via Getty Images)
Harry Styles(02 of11)
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No one is exactly sure what happened between Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, but even after she appeared to mock him during an awards show performance, he's had nothing but good things to say about her and her music in the press.
Whether he's genuinely happy for her, or he's simply killing her with kindness is unclear, but either way, we could all learn a thing or two from Hazza. (credit:Kevin Mazur via Getty Images)
Jennifer Aniston(03 of11)
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And speaking of how to flawlessly handle a break-up... The media coverage surrounding Jennifer Aniston for the decade after her split from Brad Pitt, was often unnecessary, cruel and steeped in sexism.
Through it all, though, she kept her head high, continued working and, more importantly, smiling away, despite what was said about her in the press.
Now she's one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, and is married to her long-time partner, Justin Theroux. (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)
Mariah Carey(04 of11)
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When she and the father of her two children, Nick Cannon, split, Mariah was determined not to give the press the dirt they were craving.
So much so, when approached by a TMZ reporter, Mimi said simply: "Oh, it's much too hot to talk."
Flawless. (credit:Ethan Miller via Getty Images)
Elin Nordegren(05 of11)
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Elin Nordegren - better known as the former Mrs Tiger Woods - is our personal break-up hero.
So, your husband has repeatedly cheated on you and the world's media are talking about it? Whatever.
Elin's attitude throughout the scandal was flawless: head down, sunglasses on ... and just wait for that divorce settlement to roll in. Props to you, Elin. (credit:Orlando Sentinel via Getty Images)
Katy Perry(06 of11)
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However, sometimes it's difficult to pretend you're anything other than hurt. And do you know what? That's OK too.
In showing her vulnerable side in her documentary film, 'Part Of Me', Katy undoubtedly assured a lot of people that it's not about how hard you fall, it's how you get back up again. (credit:JB Lacroix via Getty Images)
Gwyneth Paltrow(07 of11)
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Gwyneth Paltrow hasn't had a bad word to say about Chris Martin ever since they "consciously uncoupled" in 2014, and even spoke favourably about his relationship with Jennifer Lawrence.
Instead, she focused on her own career, her family and friends, and the continuing growth of her site, Goop. Now that's how you tackle a break-up like a boss. (credit:Sonia Moskowitz via Getty Images)
Katie Price(08 of11)
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Perhaps not quite to this extent, but sometimes a night out with your friends can be just the thing to get you through a break-up, as Katie Price proved when she flew to Ibiza, shortly after splitting up from Peter Andre. (credit:Dave Wood via Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez(09 of11)
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Determined not to let anyone paint her as a victim, J-Lo bounced back from her split with Marc Anthony by getting together with a far younger man.
Nice one, Jen. (credit:Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images)
Perrie Edwards(10 of11)
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Similarly, the world of entertainment journalism seemed determined to paint Perrie Edwards as a victim when she broke up with ex-fiancé Zayn Malik, particularly when he quickly got together with Gigi Hadid.
How did she respond to that? With independence anthem 'Shout Out To My Ex', which quickly topped the UK singles chart, and bagged Little Mix their first ever Brit Award. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Adele(11 of11)
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And then, of course, there's Adele, who managed to turn her disastrous break-up to her advantage and bag herself a wheelbarrow of Grammys, which we have all the admiration in the world for.
What was it Beyoncé said about 'lemons' and 'lemonade' again..? (credit:Steve Granitz via Getty Images)