Latest news with #PhatsandSmall
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vanessa Feltz 'furious' after ex Ben Ofoedu's comments at his wedding
Vanessa Feltz is said to be 'furious' with her ex-fiancé Ben Ofoedu after he took a swipe at her during his wedding speech last week, with friends claiming it's 'like he's on the wind up' Friends of Vanessa Feltz reportedly say the TV star is furious her former fiancé Ben Ofoedu is continuing to use her name to "raise his profile" two years on from their bitter split. "It's like Ben is on the wind up with Vanessa," pals claim after the Phats and Small singer took a swipe at his ex during his recent wedding. Ben, 52, has married Vanessa Brown, 29, in a lavish ceremony at a castle in Carlisle last week. The music star, who was engaged to his original Vanessa for 16 years, didn't solely focus on his bride during their special day. The singer-songwriter reflected on his failed engagement on his wedding day, declaring: "Never again will I do that. I wasted 17 years of my life. I don't believe in long engagements any more. You don't want to get married if there's a question mark over your engagement." In February 2023, Vanessa announced the end of their romance on social media. In an interview conducted a month prior, she had alluded to Ben's unfaithfulness and expressed concerns about their age difference in an interview conducted a month prior. And now, following Ben's latest mention of his former fiancée, Vanessa's pals are speaking out on her behalf. "The split was obviously not exactly amicable, but never did Vanessa think that Ben would still be going on about her now," a friend of the broadcaster has claimed. "To her it's pretty obvious that every time he speaks of her it raises his profile, and she simply won't play ball. She knows what his game is and she just wishes he could move on too. Vanessa absolutely hates it when Ben uses her in any way to increase his own publicity." Speaking to the Daily Mail, the star's friend added: "She takes the view that he might not stop – but she certainly won't be party to any of it. It's like Ben is on the wind up with Vanessa." Newly married Ben's recent wedding reportedly set him back £100,000, and during his heartfelt speech, as reported by The Sun, he confessed to the attendees: "I knew the first time I met Vanessa, I'm going to fall in love with this girl." He confessed: "It sounds crazy, but I told her that, I knew I was giving her attention, but I had intentions with this girl. So on the second date I told her I wanted to marry her and have children because I thought that by saying it, it separates the wheat from the chaff." However, his heartfelt declaration was hilariously cut short by his mate and former Another Level star Dane Bowers, who quipped: "That, and you're really old." The cheeky comment sent waves of laughter through the wedding guests. Reflecting on his journey to finding love again after a tough breakup with Vanessa, Ben expressed his newfound perspective: "Everything happens for a reason. I understand that now." In an unusual move, Ben chose his wedding day to open up about his past struggles, admitting to the attendees: "It's no secret that I went through a really hard two years. Not everyone knew how difficult a place I was in because I was putting up a brave front, but I was quite down behind the scenes." Ben's hardships didn't end with his breakup; he also faced the sudden loss of his younger brother at just 47. During the ceremony, he shared with the guests how his deep faith led him to a conversation with God, which ultimately brought him a new music opportunity and the chance to meet his current wife. He recounted, "I broke down in tears, I was crying uncontrollably. So I got down on my knees and prayed. I asked God, 'is it true? Are you still in business? Will you take a customer like me?" He added: "I know it sounds funny, but it's the truth. Two days later I got a call that changed my life."
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ben Ofoedu takes aim at ex Vanessa Feltz during wedding to parter 23 years his junior
Ben Ofoedu has tied the knot with his fiancée Vanessa Brown two years after he admitted to reaching rock bottom following his split with former fiancée Vanessa Feltz Vanessa Feltz's ex fiancé Ben Ofoedu has finally tied the knot with his new bride Vanessa Brown, in a lavish ceremony surrounded by celeb pals and family. The 52 year old Phats and Small singer married in an opulent castle in Carlisle to Vanessa, who is 23 years his junior. Despite appearing to move on from his failed romance with TV star Vanessa, 63, he couldn't help but take aim at her when speaking about his new love. The music artist, who had been engaged to Vanessa Feltz for 16 years, revealed: "I know what true love is now." Back in February 2023, the This Morning star took to social media to shared with fans that her 16 year relationship with Ben was over. At the time, the TV and radio presenter had hinted at Ben's infidelity but also mentioned in another interview a month earlier that her age gap became a subject of concern. Meanwhile, Ben's main heartbreak was that he felt he had missed out on an opportunity to become a father. And so with his new bride being younger than his years, it looks as though Ben's dreams of being a husband and a father in the future could quite easily be a possibility. The couple's wedding is believed to cost an estimated £100,000 and during his wedding speech, he told guests, according to The Sun: "I knew the first time I met Vanessa, I'm going to fall in love with this girl." He added: "It sounds crazy, but I told her that, I knew I was giving her attention, but I had intentions with this girl. So on the second date I told her I wanted to marry her and have children because I thought that by saying it, it separates the wheat from the chaff." But his emotional speech was interrupted by his close pal and Another Level singer Dane Bowers, who shouted out: "That, and you're really old." Dane's outburst made everyone in the wedding reception burst out laughing. After meeting his new bride following the end of his relationship with Vanessa, Ben now firmly believes that his split happened for a reason. He said: "Everything happens for a reason. I understand that now." It's perhaps uncommon to speak of an ex during his wedding to another woman but Ben did just that. He told the wedding party: "It's no secret that I went through a really hard two years. Not everyone knew how difficult a place I was in because I was putting up a brave front, but I was quite down behind the scenes." Despite grieving the loss of his relationship, Ben was going through further turmoil as his younger brother had died suddenly at the age of 47. Digging down into his faith, Ben explained to his guests the conversation he had with God, which resulted in his landing a music gig and meeting his new wife. He explained: "I broke down in tears, I was crying uncontrollably. So I got down on my knees and prayed. I asked God, 'is it true? Are you still in business? Will you take a customer like me?" He went on to say: "I know it sounds funny, but it's the truth. Two days later I got a call that changed my life." And then Ben received a phone call to be part of Boyz on Block and perform at the last minute at the Elite Awards in Carlisle. He then meet Vanessa in April last year. This came after Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife, were forced to pull out. Ben seized the opportunity to seal his relationship with Vanessa and proposed while in New York on Valentines Day this year - just 15 months after they first met.
Daily Record
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Vanessa Feltz's subtle on-air dig at ex Ben Ofoedu after he marries another women
Vanessa Feltz's subtle on-air dig at ex Ben Ofoedu after he marries another women Vanessa Feltz appeared to take a swipe at her ex fiancé Ben Ofoedu after her married Vanessa Brown earlier this week Vanessa took a subtle swipe on live TV (Image: Channel 5 ) Vanessa Feltz appeared to make a subtle dig at her former fiancé Ben Ofoedu following his recent marriage to another woman. The 63-year-old TV presenter and the Phats and Small singer, 53, were previously engaged and had plans to wed before ultimately ending their long-term relationship. Now, Ben has officially tied the knot with Vanessa Brown, prompting Feltz to throw slight shade at the wedding in his direction. The former couple shared 16 years together before parting ways in 2023, when Ben ended the relationship. Remarkably, just weeks after proposing again, he is a married man. During a recent episode of her Channel 5 chat show, Feltz couldn't resist slipping in a sharp remark, the Mirror reports. Her comments followed what many interpreted as a jab from Ben, after his lavish wedding ceremony at a stunning Cumbria castle, he described the occasion as "a new beginning" and said: "I wasted 17 years of my life." Following Ben's sharp dig, Feltz struck back as she spoke to Carrie and David Grant, former Strictly star James Jordan and her daughter, Saskia Joss. As the group chatted about working with their spouses, James shared that teaming up with his wife, professional dancer Ola had "always worked" for them. Carrie and Saskia also spoke warmly about their own working dynamics, prompting Feltz to joke: "And I'm sitting here single, single and all alone." Although the show swiftly moved on, Vanessa hinted that the on-air discussion didn't capture everything. She teased that there had been some "censored" discussions among the guests during the ad breaks. Although she kept the details under wraps, the guests were seen laughing and sharing smiles as the show wrapped up. Ben Ofoedu and Vanessa Feltz called their relationship off in 2023 (Image: Getty Images for Bauer Media ) Speaking MailOnline after his wedding celebrations, Ben said: "I have always wanted to be married since I was seven years old. I always wanted to be with someone who would take my surname." "I almost gave up on marriage, thinking there wasn't a lady that would walk down the aisle for me. I can't believe the day has come, it is a dream come true. It feels like I've been waiting for this moment all my life. This is the finale of the chapter that was 17 years of my life." Feltz was previously married to surgeon Michael Kurer, with the couple tying the knot back in 1983. Their marriage lasted until 2000 and they had two daughters together - Allegra and Saskia. They also now have four grandchildren. Feltz and Ben had initially planned to wed in 2007, but despite their long engagement the couple never made it down the aisle. After more than 15 years together, they eventually parted ways. Vanessa Brown and Ben Ofoedu tied the knot this month (Image: Getty Images ) Shortly after the breakup Feltz spoke candidly on This Morning about how she was feeling. She said at the time: "People have been amazing. Absolutely amazing, and of course it helps a lot. I can't sleep at all, so reading thousands and thousands of messages from lovely people on Instagram is something to do in the night." "When you have to end a relationship it's very hard. I've had what feels like millions of messages from so, so many people going through it," she added. "I wouldn't want to minimise in any way what it's like when you're heartbroken. It's horrible." Article continues below
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Vanessa Feltz takes subtle on air swipe at ex Ben Ofoedu after his wedding
TV presenter Vanessa Feltz appeared to take a subtle swipe at her ex fiance Ben Ofoedu after he exchanged vows with her new partner Vanessa Brown earlier this week Vanessa Feltz appeared to take a subtle swipe at her ex Ben Ofoedu following his marriage to another woman this week. The TV presenter, 63, and the Phats and Small singer, 53, were engaged and ready for marriage before calling time on their relationship. Instead, the musician has now tied the knot with Vanessa Brown, leaving Vanessa to seemingly throw slight shade in his direction. The duo were together for 16 years before Ben pulled the plug on their pairing in 2023. Now, just weeks after proposing again, Ben is a married man. And while appearing on her live Channel 5 chat show Vanessa couldn't resist a sharp comment. It comes after Ben seemingly made a dig of his own. Following his ceremony at a stunning Cumbria castle, he explained how his nuptials were 'a new beginning' and said: "I wasted 17 years of my life." Following Ben's own dig, Vanessa struck back as she spoke with Carrie and David Grant, former Strictly star James Jordan and her daughter, Saskia Joss. While the group discussed spouses, James said it "always worked" when he linked up with professional dancer wife Ola. Carrie and Saskia also gushed about their working dynamics, but it left Vanessa to joke: "And I'm sitting here single, single and all alone." Despite quickly moving on during the live show, Vanessa hinted it may not have been the end of it between the guests. She teased there had been "censored" discussion between the group during an ad break. While she didn't reveal what had been said, the guests were seen chuckling as the show came to a close. Speaking MailOnline following his big day, Ben said: "I have always wanted to be married since I was seven years old. I always wanted to be with someone who would take my surname. "I almost gave up on marriage, thinking there wasn't a lady that would walk down the aisle for me. I can't believe the day has come, it is a dream come true. It feels like I've been waiting for this moment all my life. This is the finale of the chapter that was 17 years of my life." Vanessa previously tied the knot with surgeon Michael Kurer back in 1983. Their marriage ended in divorce in 2000 after they had welcomed daughters Allegra and Saskia. They also now have four grandchildren. Vanessa and Ben had initially planned to walk down the aisle together in 2007. However, they remained engaged before they called it quits over 15 years later. Shortly after their separation, Vanessa opened up on This Morning about coping with the split. She said at the time: "People have been amazing. Absolutely amazing, and of course it helps a lot. I can't sleep at all, so reading thousands and thousands of messages from lovely people on Instagram is something to do in the night." She added: "When you have to end a relationship it's very hard. I've had what feels like millions of messages from so, so many people going through it. "I wouldn't want to minimise in any way what it's like when you're heartbroken. It's horrible."
