Partying through the pain: Vanessa Feltz haunted by heartbreak one year on
Christmas is supposed to be a time filled with love and laughter, but for Vanessa Feltz, this festive season is likely to bring back painful memories of past heartache.
It was on 25 december 2022 that Vanessa, 61, learned that her fiancé of 16 years, Ben Ofoedu, had cheated on her multiple times, sending her world into freefall.
Phats & Small singer Ben’s bed-hopping came to light when an anonymous lover sent Vanessa’s daughters, Allegra, 37, and Saskia, 34, “abusive and extremely hurtful” messages on social media, as they prepared to tuck into their family meal.
“It was on Christmas Day, of all days,” Allegra told The Sun earlier this year. “We were all together as a family, but Ben was away in pantomime when the messages appeared via Instagram.”
Vanessa said she felt “betrayed and panic stricken” by the revelations and now, as the anniversary of the split approaches, the star is reportedly bracing herself as she prepares to relive the hurt all over again.
“There’s no doubt that Vanessa is finding this time of year particularly difficult,” a source told new. “She feels haunted by the previous year. Christmas is a time filled with loved ones, but everything will be in the back of her mind as it’ll be her first one in 16 years without him.”
It’s no secret that Vanessa found the split, which she had to navigate so publicly, incredibly difficult.
In July, the TV presenter told OK! that she’s not “good” at being on her own, explaining that she’d been going out “every single night” since separating from her ex.
“I’ve just kept really busy. I’ve found that’s the way I can keep going. I’m just not good at being on my own – it’s not in my DNA,” she said.
Ben, 51, got together with Vanessa in 2005 and the pair quickly fell in love. After just one year of dating, they got engaged. The couple originally planned to tie the knot the following year, but never made it down the aisle.
In January, Vanessa confirmed their split in a raw and revealing video message to fans, saying, “I feel incredibly sad and I’m pretty disappointed and shocked and all those horrible things, but also full of resolve. I am not going to let this defeat me.”
Now, almost a year on from the split, the Talk TV host continues to party away the pain, recently enjoying a performance of Magic Mike Live in London’s West End.
While wild nights out are keeping Vanessa busy, pals are said to be concerned she’s still using them to mask her broken heart.
“Even though it looks like she’s moving forward and is out partying all the time, she is still hurt and disappointed that Ben wasn’t the man she thought he was,” our source continued.
“But going to events is a distraction and so she doesn’t have time to think about it.
“She doesn’t want to be sitting alone, so this is her way of coping. She’s just doing everything she can to not think about Ben just now.”
Fans on social media have also voiced concerns about the star’s partying, with one urging her to “please slow down”. Another posted, “She needs to look after herself.”
Hitting the town isn’t the only way Vanessa’s tried to heal her heartbreak. Six months after her split, she jumped head first into the dating world by signing up to Celebs Go Dating.
Unfortunately, Vanessa struggled to connect with her matches and although she ended the show coupled up with potential partner Lenny, it was clear things weren’t meant to last.
Ben, meanwhile, is said to have moved on after being spotted sharing a cab with reality star Precious Muir.
As well as hitting her hard emotionally, Vanessa’s split from Ben has taken its toll physically, with the star shedding around 2st after losing her appetite.
“People might say ‘well done’ on my weight loss, but I just felt so sick in my heart that I didn’t want to eat anything,” Vanessa said, referring to her “heartache diet”. “I do not recommend it to anybody. I’d much rather be fatter and happier than thinner and miserable.”
One thing guaranteed to keep Vanessa’s spirits up over Christmas is spending time with her family, including grandchildren Zeke, Neroli, Amiel and Cecily.
“As time goes on, Vanessa has realised the split is for the best,” our source explained. “She’s got wonderful grandchildren and daughters, and she’ll fill every moment this Christmas with them.”
new reached out to Vanessa’s rep for comment but there was no response at the time of going to press.
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