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Daily Mail
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Brigitte Macron puts on a brave face as she joins husband Emmanuel for French Bastille Day celebrations as furore over ludicrous claim she is actually a man continues
France's first lady put on a brave face and joined her husband for the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, as it emerged she had taken her libel case against women who claimed she used to be a man to the highest appeals court. Brigitte Macron, 72, joined President Emmanuel Macron, 47, at the Place de la Concorde for a record-breaking procession through the capital, intended to show off the military's 'operational credibility' on Monday. She was pictured at her husband's side as her lawyer announced she would take her case to the Cour de Cassation, after the Paris appeals court overturned earlier convictions against the two women for spreading false claims. Ms Macron filed a complaint against the two women after they posted a video in 2021 alleging she had once been a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux - who is Ms Macron's brother. The nation marked Bastille Day on Monday with an unprecedented parade on the Champs-Élysées after President Emmanuel Macron warned of Russia 's 'lasting threat' to Europe and wider freedoms. Some 7,000 military personnel were joined by columns of tanks in the traditional march from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde as scores of planes and helicopters performed manoeuvres in the skies. Celebrations are planned nationwide as the country commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress and prison on July 14, 1789 - a pivotal moment in the French Revolution that ultimately brought about the end of absolute monarchical rule. The holiday period also sees special awards handed out to people of note. Gisèle Pelicot, who became a hero to victims of sexual violence during a four-month trial this year, was among this year's recipients of France's most prestigious award, the Légion d'honneur. On the eve of the parade, President Macron used his annual speech to announce a €6.5 billion euro (£5.63bn) boost to defence over the next two years - around six per cent more than the total €110bn already planned for 2026/27. 'Since 1945, freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,' he said of the military and cyber threats facing Europe. 'To be free in this world, we must be feared. To be feared, we must be powerful.' (From L) Two French Air and Space army Cougar helicopters and a French Air and Space army helicopter Puma helicopter perform a fly-over past the Sacre-Coeur Basilica during the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris on July 14, 2025 General Loïc Mizon, the Military Governor of Paris, told Radio France Internationale the parade was intended to show off France's 'operational credibility' against security challenges. Soldiers from the 7th Armoured Brigade marched in full combat gear, rather than ceremonial garb, in an unprecedented move Mizon described as a 'clear demonstration of our determination and effectiveness'. The Paris event included flyovers by fighter jets, trailing red, white and blue smoke above the capital as soldiers and military vehicles proceeded down below. Two riders fell from their horses near the end of the parade, and it was unclear whether anyone was hurt. Such incidents happen occasionally at the annual event. Each parade uniform has a touch of symbolism. The contingent from the French Foreign Legion was eye-catching, its bearded troops wearing leather aprons and carrying axes, a reference to their original role as route clearers for advancing armies. Finnish troops serving in the U.N. force in Lebanon, and Belgian and Luxembourg troops serving in a NATO force in Romania also paraded through Paris, reflecting the increasingly international nature of the event. Among the dignitaries invited to watch will be Fousseynou Samba Cissé, who rescued two babies from a burning apartment earlier this month and received a last-minute invitation in a phone call from Macron himself. 'I wasn't expecting that call,' he told online media Brut. 'I feel pride.' More than 450 Indonesian service members joined the parade on foot after the Patrouille de France air show. Indonesia is this year's guest of honour, with France having recently concluded a strategic defence partnership to strengthen its role in the Indo-Pacific. Jaguar armored vehicles of the 1st Spahis Regiment drive down the Champs-Elysees avenue during the annual Bastille Day military ceremony in Paris, France, July 14, 2025 The Southeast Asian country was expected to confirm purchase of French Rafale fighter jets and other military equipment during the visit. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who was accused of rights abuses under Indonesia's prior dictatorship, will be treated to a special holiday dinner at the Elysée Palace. What does Bastille Day commemorate? Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, and the unity of the French people at the Fete de la Federation a year later. The storming of the Bastille was a major turning point in the early days of the French Revolution, as militias took up arms against royal troops. Civilian insurgents and mutinous French Guards went to the fortress in Paris, long a symbol of Royal tyranny, and demanded its surrender. After a tense standoff, several guards were killed and the governor was beheaded, setting a precedent for violence. The French Revolution would ultimately overthrow the monarchy and lay the groundwork for more Enlightenment-inspired ideals of freedom and rights - though France soon descended into political turmoil, repression, and mass executions, before Napoleon's eventual rise to power. And late this evening, the capital will host a half-hour firework show at the Eiffel Tower. This year's event is set against the backdrop of growing uncertainty across Europe around the fate of the War in Ukraine and the perceived threat from Russia. European intelligence bureaus and security think tanks have warned in recent months that Russia could be looking to attack a NATO members before the end of the decade. Pressed by the United States, European members have sought to hike defence spending in response to the perceived threat. Germany alone plans a 70 per cent increase in military expenditure to €162bn by 2029. On the eve of Bastille Day this year, France's Macron announced 6.5 billion euros in extra French military spending in the next two years because of new threats ranging from Russia to terrorism and online attacks. The French leader also called for intensified efforts to protect Europe and support for Ukraine. 'While we had planned to double the defence budget by 2030, we will double it by 2027,' he told an audience of top military officials in the gardens of the French defence ministry on Sunday. 'There will be €64 billion for defense in 2027. That's twice more than in 2017. It's a new, historic and proportionate effort.' Macron did not say where the money would come from. France's prime minister, Francois Bayrou, is to unveil a plan for the 2026 budget tomorrow, with defence set to be the only area to receive a boost. The government is looking to find as much as €40bn by cutting spending and raising taxes to balance the books. Most opposition parties support a raise in defence spending, at least. French army during the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, France on July 14, 2025 Paris aims to be able to deploy a 'war ready' brigade of more than 7,000 personnel within 10 days if required, and aspires to be able to do the same with an entire division of 20,000 within 30 days by 2027. France separately bestowed prestigious awards on notable people around the Bastille Day celebrations today. This year's recipients include Gisèle Pelicot, who became a global hero to victims of sexual violence during a four-month trial in which her husband and dozens of men were convicted of sexually assaulting her while she was drugged unconscious. Others earning the honor are Yvette Levy, a Holocaust survivor and French Resistance fighter, and musician Pharrell Williams, designer for Louis Vuitton.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rebekah Vardy jumps for joy in a bikini during holiday with husband Jamie and pals - after putting £9.7m Portuguese villa on market amid £4m Wagatha Christie bill
Rebekah Vardy jumped for joy as she enjoyed a holiday with husband Jamie and his former Leicester City team mates Harry Maguire and James Maddison in Portugal. The WAG took to Instagram on Monday to share a series of snaps of herself walking along the beach in a pink bikini while the sun set in the location of their £9.7m villa, which has recently been put up for sale. Rebekah showed off her amazing figure in the pink two-piece and added a coordinated oversized shirt as she dipped her feet in the ocean tide. In another photo, the TV personality looked to be running away from the camera as she jumped into the air with joy. She wrote: 'Life is better at the beach'. The former I'm A Celeb star jetted off on holiday as she foots the £4m costs bill for her ill-fated Wagatha Christie libel case. She and Jamie are selling their Portuguese abode for an 'optimistic' £9.7million following the trial. Last month, Rebekah was ordered by a judge to pay £1.27m towards rival Coleen Rooney 's legal expenses, on top of her own bill, reported to be more than £2million, from the disastrous libel claim she brought in 2022. But it looks like Rebekah put her money woes behind her as she travelled to Europe on holiday with her family, England footballer Harry, Tottenham midfielder James, as well as Leicester City coach Andy King. The trio of former Foxes stars were joined by their families as they made the most of their summer break in the Algarve. In another post, Rebekah shared a group photo from beachside restaurant Maria's, one of the most popular and scenic spots in the area for some sunset drinks. It comes after Jamie drew the curtains on his 13-year chapter at the club last month, after announcing that he would be leaving as a free agent. He scored his 200th goal for the club in his final game, a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, and was given a memorable farewell by fans and team-mates. It came at the end of what had been a miserable campaign for the club, who were relegated to the Championship. Rebekah was ordered by a judge to pay £1.4m towards rival Coleen Rooney's legal expenses, on top of her own bill, reported to be more than £2million, from the disastrous libel claim she brought in 2022 Vardy was a key part of the Foxes side that shocked the world by winning the Premier League in 2016. Maguire and Maddison joined the club in the years that followed but Leicester were never able to reach those dizzy heights again. Maguire went on to secure a £80m move to Manchester United, where he has experienced plenty of ups and downs over the past six seasons. Maddison joined Tottenham in 2023 and will no doubt be continuing to celebrate his side's Europa League triumph, which came against Maguire's Red Devils. It comes after the Wagatha Christie trial left Rebekah's reputation 'in tatters' and had a similar effect on her 'brand' with potential advertisers. Rebekah unsuccessfully sued the I'm A Celeb star in the High Court in 2022 after she was publicly accused of leaking stories about her to the press. The catalyst for the famous Wagatha Christie case was a dramatic open letter written by Coleen and posted on social media in October 2019 in which she revealed she had turned detective to figure out who had been leaking the stories to the press. Coleen publicly claimed Rebekah's account was the source behind three newspaper stories featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram profile - her travelling to Mexico for a 'gender selection' procedure, her planning to return to TV and the basement flooding at her home. Though Jamie has continued to be one of the Premier League's big earners, pulling in an estimated £7.3m at Leicester City last season, and now linked to a possible transfer to Manchester United, there's no doubt the family finances took a massive blow from the Wagatha scandal and its aftermath. In recent years, the couple rented out their beloved villa on the exclusive golf resort of Quinta do Lago for up to £30,000 a week, but now they've reluctantly decided to put it up for sale. The property has been listed for sale with blue chip agents Knight Frank, with an incredible £9.7million price tag. Though prices have risen strongly in the Algarve recently, by as much as 16 per cent, according to some estimates, the Vardys' villa is definitely priced on the 'optimistic side', according to one agent speaking to MailOnline on the condition of anonymity. 'It's certainly a stunning and very modern property, but there are many more traditionally-styled places in that area which some people might prefer, of similar size, but priced a lot more competitively,' he said. The villa, which has three pools, a gym, steam room and six bedrooms and overlooks the 18th green of the resort's North course. According to Knight Frank, 'this magnificent property, built over four levels, showcases meticulous attention to lifestyle details.' Other features in the four-storey home include a cinema room, roof terrace and sauna, on a plot of around 0.64 acres. The particulars add: 'In addition to the three external pools, which epitomize a contemporary lifestyle, the villa includes a central electro-chromic glass lift accessing each floor. 'The impressively landscaped gardens complement the property's style, creating a true haven for modern living. 'The villa is conveniently located within walking distance of the golf course and other renowned amenities within the Quinta do Lago resort.' In 2022, the couple had a scare when the luxury villa looked like it could be damaged by forest fires. A source close to the family told the Sun at the time: 'It's been horrifying. Their neighbours have all been evacuated and one by one residents are being told to leave their homes. 'Becky can see smoke everywhere and she's terrified about the kids breathing it in. The water is also down so she's relying on bottled water which, obviously, there is only a finite amount of at home. 'Jamie and their friends and family back home have all been really worried. Things are developing by the hour but she's praying the fire brigades, who have been brilliant, can get things back under control.' In June 2020, Rebekah began legal proceedings against Coleen for libel with her lawyers alleging she had 'suffered extreme distress, hurt, anxiety and embarrassment as a result of the publication of Coleen's post and the events which followed'. At the first preliminary hearing in London's High Court in November the same year, Mr Justice Warby ruled that Coleen's famous letter 'clearly identified' Rebekah as being 'guilty of the serious and consistent breach of trust'. He concluded the 'natural and ordinary' meaning of the posts was that Rebekah had 'regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Mrs Rooney's personal Instagram account' by secretly informing the press of Coleen's 'private posts and stories'. When the case returned to the courts in February 2022, a series of explosive messages between Rebekah and her agent Caroline Watt were revealed with Coleen's lawyers alleging they were about her. Rebekah denied that one message calling someone a 'nasty b****' was in reference to Coleen. When asked by defence lawyers to present Ms Watt's phone so they could further investigate the WhatsApp messages, they were told it had fallen into the North Sea when Ms Watt was on a boat during a holiday. Coleen was denied permission to bring a High Court claim against Ms Watt for misuse of private information to be heard alongside the libel battle as it was brought too late. Ms Watt was then dubbed not fit to give oral evidence, revoked permission for her witness statement to be used and withdrew her waiver which would have allowed journalists to say whether she was a source of the leaked stories. Coleen's barrister then told the High Court Rebekah 'appears to accept' her agent was the source of the leaked stories and argued her new statement suggested this but Rebekah claimed she 'did not authorise or condone her'. In May 2022, the women finally came face-to-face in court to give evidence as the Wagatha Christie trial began in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Coleen secured her victory the next month when Mrs Justice Steyn delivered her damning verdict, dismissing the claim made by Rebekah and finding Coleen had proved the meaning of her famous accusatory letter was 'substantially true'. Rebekah was accused in court – which she denied - of deliberately deleting WhatsApp messages central to the case as it was suggested her agent also intentionally dropped her phone in the North Sea. The final judgement said swathes of Rebekah's evidence given under oath had been 'manifestly inconsistent', 'not credible' and needed to be treated with 'very considerable caution'. The judge ruled that Rebekah should pay 90 per cent of Coleen's costs.
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Rebekah Vardy boards private jet to friend's lavish French wedding after putting huge £9.7m Portuguese villa on the market amid £4m bill for Wagatha Christie trial
Rebekah Vardy has jetted off to France in style for her friend's lavish wedding - as she foots the £4m costs bill for her ill-fated Wagatha Christie libel case. The WAG, 43, and her husband Jamie, 38, are selling their Portuguese abode for an 'optimistic' £9.7million following the trial. Last month, Rebekah was ordered by a judge to pay £1.27m towards rival Coleen Rooney 's legal expenses, on top of her own bill, reported to be more than £2million, from the disastrous libel claim she brought in 2022. But it looks like Rebekah put her money woes behind her as she travelled to Europe for her pal Rebecca Naylor's wedding in a private jet. Taking to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, the WAG shared a snap inside the aircraft of the window, as she penned: 'En route @rebeccanaylor14.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Last month, the WAG, 43, was ordered by a judge to pay £1.4m towards rival Coleen Rooney 's legal expenses, on top of her own bill, reported to be more than £2million, from the disastrous libel claim she brought in 2022 Bride-to-be Rebecca, who is set to marry Leicester City star Danny Ward, also shared a snap to her Instagram Stories with other wedding attendees stood outside the jet. While it's not known how long Rebekah and Rebecca have been friends, it's clear they both run in the same circles due to their sportsman partners. Rebecca's Instagram feed is full of glamorous photos from her exotic travels over the years with Danny - from the Seychelles to Dubai. On his 26th birthday, Rebecca lovingly referred to her partner as her 'world' - just months before they became parents for the first time. Sharing a gushing post on Danny's special day in 2019, Rebecca wrote: 'Happy 26th birthday to my world! Hope you have the most amazing day! 'We're so lucky to spend your birthday in such beautiful places! I love you always.' Danny, 31, who also plays for Wales, has been with Rebecca for nearly a decade. They welcomed son Albie together in November 2019, and the family all watched Danny play in Doha in November 2022. During this time, she had more reason than most to be displeased with her time in Qatar - after Gareth Southgate's men put three goals past her partner. She had shown off her lavish trip on the £1billion MSC World Europa luxury cruise ship, where the majority of England's WAGs and the Welsh WAGs had been staying for the tournament. Rebecca lamented: 'When you should done the ten days here and not there.' The cruise ship was home to England WAGs including Georgina Irwin, who is married to goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, and Phil Foden's girlfriend Rebecca Cooke. Jack Grealish's partner Sasha Attwood, and Harry Maguire's wife Fern, were also known to be onboard. Rebecca and Danny also share a daughter, whom they welcomed in April 2023 called Ayla. It comes after the Wagatha Christie trial left Rebekah's reputation 'in tatters' and had a similar effect on her 'brand' with potential advertisers. Rebekah unsuccessfully sued the I'm A Celeb star in the High Court in 2022 after she was publicly accused of leaking stories about her to the press. The catalyst for the famous Wagatha Christie case was a dramatic open letter written by Coleen and posted on social media in October 2019 in which she revealed she had turned detective to figure out who had been leaking the stories to the press. During this time, she had more reason than most to be displeased with her time in Qatar - after Gareth Southgate's men put three goals past her partner. The beauty posted a video online which started at luxury hotel accommodation before panning over to the £1billion MSC World Europa luxury cruise ship Coleen publicly claimed Rebekah's account was the source behind three newspaper stories featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram profile - her travelling to Mexico for a 'gender selection' procedure, her planning to return to TV and the basement flooding at her home. Though Jamie has continued to be one of the Premier League's big earners, pulling in an estimated £7.3m at Leicester City last season, and now linked to a possible transfer to Manchester United, there's no doubt the family finances took a massive blow from the Wagatha scandal and its aftermath. In recent years, the couple rented out their beloved villa on the exclusive golf resort of Quinta do Lago for up to £30,000 a week, but now they've reluctantly decided to put it up for sale. The property has been listed for sale with blue chip agents Knight Frank, with an incredible £9.7million price tag. Though prices have risen strongly in the Algarve recently, by as much as 16 per cent, according to some estimates, the Vardys' villa is definitely priced on the 'optimistic side', according to one agent speaking to MailOnline on the condition of anonymity. 'It's certainly a stunning and very modern property, but there are many more traditionally-styled places in that area which some people might prefer, of similar size, but priced a lot more competitively,' he said. The villa, which has three pools, a gym, steam room and six bedrooms and overlooks the 18th green of the resort's North course. According to Knight Frank, 'this magnificent property, built over four levels, showcases meticulous attention to lifestyle details.' Other features in the four-storey home include a cinema room, roof terrace and sauna, on a plot of around 0.64 acres. The particulars add: 'In addition to the three external pools, which epitomize a contemporary lifestyle, the villa includes a central electro-chromic glass lift accessing each floor. 'The impressively landscaped gardens complement the property's style, creating a true haven for modern living. 'The villa is conveniently located within walking distance of the golf course and other renowned amenities within the Quinta do Lago resort.' In 2022, the couple had a scare when the luxury villa looked like it could be damaged by forest fires. A source close to the family told the Sun at the time: 'It's been horrifying. Their neighbours have all been evacuated and one by one residents are being told to leave their homes. 'Becky can see smoke everywhere and she's terrified about the kids breathing it in. The water is also down so she's relying on bottled water which, obviously, there is only a finite amount of at home. 'Jamie and their friends and family back home have all been really worried. Things are developing by the hour but she's praying the fire brigades, who have been brilliant, can get things back under control.' In June 2020, Rebekah began legal proceedings against Coleen for libel with her lawyers alleging she had 'suffered extreme distress, hurt, anxiety and embarrassment as a result of the publication of Coleen's post and the events which followed'. At the first preliminary hearing in London's High Court in November the same year, Mr Justice Warby ruled that Coleen's famous letter 'clearly identified' Rebekah as being 'guilty of the serious and consistent breach of trust'. He concluded the 'natural and ordinary' meaning of the posts was that Rebekah had 'regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Mrs Rooney's personal Instagram account' by secretly informing the press of Coleen's 'private posts and stories'. When the case returned to the courts in February 2022, a series of explosive messages between Rebekah and her agent Caroline Watt were revealed with Coleen's lawyers alleging they were about her. Rebekah denied that one message calling someone a 'nasty b****' was in reference to Coleen. When asked by defence lawyers to present Ms Watt's phone so they could further investigate the WhatsApp messages, they were told it had fallen into the North Sea when Ms Watt was on a boat during a holiday. Coleen was denied permission to bring a High Court claim against Ms Watt for misuse of private information to be heard alongside the libel battle as it was brought too late. Ms Watt was then dubbed not fit to give oral evidence, revoked permission for her witness statement to be used and withdrew her waiver which would have allowed journalists to say whether she was a source of the leaked stories. Coleen's barrister then told the High Court Rebekah 'appears to accept' her agent was the source of the leaked stories and argued her new statement suggested this but Rebekah claimed she 'did not authorise or condone her'. In May 2022, the women finally came face-to-face in court to give evidence as the Wagatha Christie trial began in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Coleen secured her victory the next month when Mrs Justice Steyn delivered her damning verdict, dismissing the claim made by Rebekah and finding Coleen had proved the meaning of her famous accusatory letter was 'substantially true'. Rebekah was accused in court – which she denied - of deliberately deleting WhatsApp messages central to the case as it was suggested her agent also intentionally dropped her phone in the North Sea. The final judgement said swathes of Rebekah's evidence given under oath had been 'manifestly inconsistent', 'not credible' and needed to be treated with 'very considerable caution'. The judge ruled that Rebekah should pay 90 per cent of Coleen's costs.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Coleen Rooney has something to smile about! WAG leaves the gym after rival Rebekah Vardy puts her £9.7million Portuguese villa up for sale to foot the bill for Wagatha Christie trial
Coleen Rooney had something to smile about as she left a gym in Wilmslow on Tuesday following the news her rival Rebekah Vardy is selling her Portuguese villa. Rebekah, 43, and her husband Jamie, 38, are selling the abode for an optimistic £9.7million - as she foots the £4m costs bill for her ill-fated Wagatha Christie libel case. Last month, Rebekah, 43, was ordered by a judge to pay £1.27m towards rival Coleen Rooney 's legal expenses, on top of her own bill, reported to be more than £2million, from the disastrous libel claim she brought in 2022. Meanwhile, Coleen opted for a laid back look for her early morning outing as she sported a white T-shirt along with a pair of black leggings. Wrapping a matching jumper around her waist, the mother-of-four added to her look with a pair of white trainers. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Rebekah, 43, and her husband Jamie, 38, are selling the abode for an optimistic £9.7million - as she foots the £4m costs bill for her ill-fated Wagatha Christie libel case Styling her brunette locks into an updo, Coleen grabbed a cup of coffee as she made her way home. The High Court case left Rebekah's reputation 'in tatters' and had a similar effect on her 'brand' with potential advertisers. Though Jamie has continued to be one of the Premier League 's big earners, pulling in an estimated £7.3m at Leicester City last season, and now linked to a possible transfer to Manchester United, there's no doubt the family finances took a massive blow from the Wagatha scandal and its aftermath. In recent years, the Vardys have rented out their beloved villa on the exclusive golf resort of Quinta do Lago for up to £30,000 a week, but now they've reluctantly decided to put up the for sale sign. The property has been listed for sale with blue chip agents Knight Frank, with an incredible £9.7million price tag. Though prices have risen strongly in the Algarve recently, by as much as 16 per cent, according to some estimates, the Vardys' villa is definitely priced on the 'optimistic side', according to one agent speaking to MailOnline on condition of anonymity. 'It's certainly a stunning and very modern property, but there are many more traditionally-styled places in that area which some people might prefer, of similar size, but priced a lot more competitively,' he said. The villa, which has three pools, a gym, steam room and six bedrooms, overlooks the 18th green of the resort's North course. According to Knight Frank: 'This magnificent property, built over four levels, showcases meticulous attention to lifestyle details.' Other features in the four-storey home include a cinema room, roof terrace and sauna, on a plot of around 0.64 acres. The particulars add: 'In addition to the three external pools, which epitomize a contemporary lifestyle, the villa includes a central electro-chromic glass lift accessing each floor. 'The impressively landscaped gardens complement the property's style, creating a true haven for modern living. 'The villa is conveniently located within walking distance of the golf course and other renowned amenities within the Quinta do Lago resort.' In 2022 the couple had a scare when the luxury villa looked like it could be damaged by forest fires. A source close to the family told the Sun at the time: 'It's been horrifying. Their neighbours have all been evacuated and one by one residents are being told to leave their homes. In recent years, the Vardys (pictured) have rented out their beloved villa on the exclusive golf resort of Quinta do Lago for up to £30,000 a week, but now they've reluctantly decided to put up the for sale sign 'Becky can see smoke everywhere and she's terrified about the kids breathing it in. The water is also down so she's relying on bottled water which, obviously, there is only a finite amount of at home. 'Jamie and their friends and family back home have all been really worried. Things are developing by the hour but she's praying the fire brigades, who have been brilliant, can get things back under control.' Rebekah unsuccessfully sued the I'm A Celeb star in the High Court in 2022 after she was publicly accused of leaking stories about her to the press. The catalyst for the famous Wagatha Christie case was a dramatic open letter written by Coleen and posted on social media in October 2019 in which she revealed she had turned detective to figure out who had been leaking the stories to the press. Coleen publicly claimed Rebekah's account was the source behind three newspaper stories featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram profile - her travelling to Mexico for a 'gender selection' procedure, her planning to return to TV and the basement flooding at her home. Penning that she had a 'suspicion' of who it could be, Coleen told her millions of followers that 'to try and prove this' she 'came up with an idea'. 'I blocked everyone from viewing my Instagram stories except ONE account,' she wrote. For the next five months, she uploaded 'a series of false stories' to see if 'they made their way' into the press. The catalyst for the famous Wagatha Christie case was a dramatic open letter written by Coleen and posted on social media in October 2019 in which she revealed she had turned detective to figure out who had been leaking the stories to the press 'And you know what, they did!' she penned 'The story about gender selection in Mexico, the story about returning to TV and then the latest story about the basement flooding in my new house.' She continued to build suspense, writing: 'It's been tough keeping it to myself and not making any comment at all, especially when the stories have been leaked, however I had to. Now I know for certain which account/individual it's come from. 'I have saved and screenshotted all the original stories which clearly show just one person had viewed them.' And then, she delivered her final iconic line: 'It's.......... Rebekah Vardy's account.' What followed was a tearful appearance from Rebekah on ITV's Loose Women in February 2020 in which claimed the stress over the dispute had caused her to have anxiety attacks so severe she 'ended up in hospital three times'. The emotional display was met by Coleen with a statement to say she did not want to 'engage in further public debate' on the matter. Four months later, in June 2020, Rebekah began legal proceedings against Coleen for libel with her lawyers alleging she had ' suffered extreme distress, hurt, anxiety and embarrassment as a result of the publication of the post and the events which followed '. At the first preliminary hearing in London's High Court in November the same year, Mr Justice Warby ruled that Coleen's famous letter 'clearly identified' Rebekah as being 'guilty of the serious and consistent breach of trust'. He concluded the 'natural and ordinary' meaning of the posts was that Rebekah had 'regularly and frequently abused her status as a trusted follower of Mrs Rooney's personal Instagram account' by secretly informing the press of Coleen's 'private posts and stories'. When the case returned to the courts in February 2022, a series of explosive messages between Rebekah and her agent Caroline Watt were revealed with Coleen's lawyers alleging they were about her. Rebekah denied that one message calling someone a 'nasty b****' was in reference to Coleen. When asked by defence lawyers to present Ms Watt's phone so they could further investigate the WhatsApp messages, they were told it had fallen into the North Sea when Ms Watt was on a boat during a holiday. Coleen was denied permission to bring a High Court claim against Ms Watt for misuse of private information to be heard alongside the libel battle as it was brought too late. Ms Watt was then dubbed not fit to give oral evidence, revoked permission for her witness statement to be used and withdrew her waiver which would have allowed journalists to say whether she was a source of the leaked stories. Coleen's barrister then told the High Court Rebekah 'appears to accept' her agent was the source of the leaked stories and argued her new statement suggested this but Rebekah claimed she 'did not authorise or condone her'. In May 2022, the women finally came face-to-face in court to give evidence as the Wagatha Christie trial began in the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Rebekah was accused in court – which she denied - of deliberately deleting WhatsApp messages central to the case as it was suggested her agent also intentionally dropped her phone in the North Sea Coleen secured her victory the next month when Mrs Justice Steyn delivered her damning verdict, dismissing the claim made by Rebekah and finding Coleen had proved the meaning of her famous accusatory letter was 'substantially true'. Rebekah was accused in court – which she denied - of deliberately deleting WhatsApp messages central to the case as it was suggested her agent also intentionally dropped her phone in the North Sea. The final judgement said swathes of Rebekah's evidence given under oath had been 'manifestly inconsistent', 'not credible' and needed to be treated with 'very considerable caution'. The judge ruled that Mrs Vardy should pay 90 per cent of Mrs Rooney's costs. Vardy was also found liable to pay costs incurred by seven journalists who were potential witnesses but did not give evidence.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Rebekah Vardy sells her 'sanctuary' holiday home after being ordered to foot £4m Wagatha Christie legal bill
Rebekah Vardy is selling to sell the luxurious Portuguese villa she and husband Jamie call their 'sanctuary' for an optimistic £9.7million - as she foots the £4m costs bill for her ill-fated Wagatha Christie libel case. Last month, Rebekah, 43, was ordered by a judge to pay £1.4m towards rival Coleen Rooney 's legal expenses, on top of her own bill, reported to be more than £2million, from the disastrous libel claim she brought in 2022.
