COLEEN Rooney has boasted how lovestruck hubby Wayne has often written her poems.
The mum of four told her I’m A Celeb campmate GK Barry that despite his tough image on the pitch, the England footie legend was a softie off it.
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And despite the ups and downs of their 16-year marriage — and him spending long periods away from home in his new job as Plymouth Argyle manager — she says they remain as strong as ever.
Coleen said: “Wayne’s always wrote me poems.
“You know the hotel pads? He was always writing a little poem and putting it in his bag and he’d give it to me when we got home.
“They’re nice to keep but I can’t remember the last time he gave me one . . .
“He is romantic in ways, we’re not the lovey-dovey couple in public but little things like that I think it keeps the relationship alive and it’s special when someone’s done something just for you, and the words mean something.”
Earlier, Coleen told dancer Oti Mabuse how they had survived as a couple despite Wayne admitting to a string of infidelities since they first met as teens in home city Liverpool.
She said: “All he wanted to do was play football. He struggled with the fame side of it, he hated that.
“If he could’ve just played football and had none of the fame, I think he would’ve been happier within life. He’s made mistakes along the way, but from 16, obviously you’re going to, that’s life.
“We had to grow up quick, because we were living in the public eye.”
And she insisted that while forgiving some of his past behaviour has been difficult, the couple, remain steadfast in their love.
She added: “It has been difficult, but we’re happy now, after all those years . . . we’re a team.”
Meanwhile back home, Wayne has been prowling the touchline of his sons’ footie games after stepping into Coleen’s “soccer mom” role.
The former Everton and Manchester United ace usually only watches Kai and Klay play occasionally as he does not like the added pressure him being there can bring to them.
Coleen spent her last day before heading to Australia cheering on Klay, 11, as he played for a United’s kids’ team.
Wayne’s always wrote me poems
Coleen
But now Wazza has stepped up, and was at United’s training ground watching Kai, 15, play for the academy last weekend.
And he has told the boys he will get to as many games as he can while Coleen is in the jungle, despite having to spend several nights away each week in Devon due to his commitments managing Championship side Plymouth.
A source said: “Wayne isn’t a regular at his son’s games because it can create a bit of excitement on the touchline and he doesn’t want the boys to feel any pressure while playing.
“But with Coleen away, he’s told the lads he will come to as many games as he can.
“He’s joked that the added bonus is it gets him away from his in-laws, who are helping look after the kids.”
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I’m A Celebrity 2024
i’m A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun’s Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year..
Coleen Rooney – Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney, has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever.
Tulisa – The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year’s I’m A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal.
Alan Halsall – The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities.
Melvin Odoom – The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet – the Aussie jungle.
GK Barry – The UK’s biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers.
Dean McCullough – A rising star amongst this year’s bunch of celebs, Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live.
Oti Mabuse – The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
Danny Jones – The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle, after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he’s now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice, along with bandmate Tom Fletcher.
Jane Moore – The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge – having recently split from her husband. It will be Jane’s first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past.
Barry McGuigan – Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer. He told The Late Late Show in 2021: “She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache.”
Maura Higgins – The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard. Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year.
Rev. Richard Coles – Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity, and he’s ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star, said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: “Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth.”