At 62 and back on the dating scene, Vanessa Feltz needs just three words to describe her past relationships. “A car crash”, she says. “My entire love life has been a complete abomination, a catastrophe, an absolute f**king car crash. People might think I’m an absolute fool. And they’d not be wrong.”
That’s why now, speaking from her stunning north London home, she’s made herself a promise – to never be belittled or used for her fame by men again.
It’s a lesson she’s learnt the hard way. “I’ve been single for 21 months. It’s not my happy state,” Vanessa tells us. “But I’m not going to be plunging in with any old renegade who says, ‘I like your eyes.’ I’ve got to have learnt something from all of this, haven’t I?”
The “this” to which she refers is her 2023 split with partner of 16 years Ben Ofoedu, after her daughters received a tip-off that he was cheating. She confronted him while in the back of a black cab one night on their way to a party in Waterloo. After much spluttering and protestations of innocence, he finally confessed. Furious, Vanessa threw open the taxi door – and threw herself out into the rain. Her “beloved” fiancé drove on to the party.
The same “this” also refers to her ex-husband, the father of her children, orthopaedic surgeon Michael Kurer, who after 16 years of seemingly blissful marriage, turned round one day, asked for a divorce and called her “disgustingly fat”. He put her on a 12-week “trial period”, then walked out after six.
Today Vanessa is happy to show us around her unique home – an 18th-century Gothic folly she calls Feltz Towers. It’s packed full of eccentricities, including some faux Roman frescos which were there when she moved in 20 years ago. There’s a charming caricature of her in a fetish outfit on one wall and a side table etched with the face of Leigh Francis. The dining table has been folded away to make floor space for parties. But one thing you won’t find in there much is… Vanessa.
Denne historien er fra October 21, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 21, 2024-utgaven av OK! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CHRISTMAS MAGIC
Create memories you'll cherish forever with a festive family trip to Lapland
Festive breakfasts
A special day calls for a special start level up with one of these indulgent recipes
IS YOUR MIGRAINE SEASONAL?
Certain foods, such as coffee and chocolate, are known to trigger migraines in some people. But there's another possible culprit - the weather!
BEAUTY BUZZ
LAURA MULLEY SHARES THIS ISSUE'S MUST-HAVES, TRENDS & TIPS
'I think playing Shelagh has had an effect on me'
Call The Midwife star Laura Main on spending the festive period with her family, sharing a love of Chris Rea with her mum, and just what her character Shelagh means to her
'There were a lot of tears'
Larry Lamb on the finale of Gavin & Stacey, his close bond with his co-stars and his new interest in farming
'Strictly brought all the joy of dance back into my life'
Actress and wellness guru Tamzin Outhwaite on waltzing into the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special and how she's helping busy women cope with stress
'I love our house to be red, green and gold, looking just like Home Alone'
As she invites us into her stylish home, Samantha Faiers shares her myriad of magical festive traditions
'I don't take any of it for granted'
Superstar Hannah Waddingham on her rise to fame and how her talent for singing runs in the family
A right royal Christmas
We take a look at how the royal family will spend their traditional festive holiday at Sandringham and some happy memories from years gone by
