'NOW I FEEL READY TO LOOK FORWARD'

Coleen Rooney shares how the Wagatha trial took its toll on her health and why it's time for her to move on

- JEN PHARO

DOING HERSELF JUSTICE

Coleen Rooney emerged victorious from the libel trial of the century with her head held high, her husband Wayne proudly by her side and the respect of the nation. Accuser and loser Rebekah Vardy, meanwhile, became a social pariah, a national laughing stock, left staggering under the weight of Coleen’s enormous legal bill – an eye-watering £1.8 million.

But for Coleen, 37, the victory is hollow, as she reveals the toll of the court case saw her mental and physical health crumble.

While drama played out in the High Court, Coleen was secretly suffering from reactive arthritis – a condition that causes redness and swelling of the joints – which flared due to the stress of being sued by Rebekah.

“It caused anxiety and there were a lot of tears,” shares Coleen. “I have reactive arthritis, and I’ve had it previously, but this situation brought it on a lot more than what I’ve had before.”

The stress changed Coleen and she no longer recognised herself. “It stripped me of me, of my character,” she says. “I just didn’t want to socialise with people at all. I was completely in my own world. There were days when I’d have a teatime phone call with my legal team and I’d end up in files on my computer until midnight. There were also nights when I didn’t sleep as things were going through my mind. It drained me of my personality, my energy, and my character. It was not a nice place to be.”