Vanessa Feltz: ‘We didn’t stand a chance’
Radio host Vanessa Feltz, 55, is at her most searingly honest yet as she talks about partner Ben Ofoedu...
Bubbly Vanessa Feltz is as well known for her refreshingly frank opinions as for her colourful outfit choices. The BBC Radio London presenter and former Celebrity Big Brother star has always worn her heart on her sleeve where relationships are concerned.
And now, she’s revealed that even she didn’t hold out much hope that her relationship with Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu, 45, would go the distance.
The mum-of-two said that, when she first got with Ben 11 years ago, people were quick to comment that the relationship ‘would never last’.
But Vanessa herself, who was left devastated after her marriage to surgeon Michael Kurer imploded – he cheated on her, leading to their divorce in 2000 – admitted she was one of the biggest doubters.
‘ We had nothing whatsoever in common. Our backgrounds, education, race, religion, interests and everything else you can think of were poles apart,’ she confessed.
‘ What’s more, I was, and, annoyingly, remain, 10 whole years older than Ben. We were sure the chasm of an age gap meant our relationship didn’t stand a chance.’
More than a decade on, however, Vanessa and her toy boy, who she was introduced to by her fellow CBB contestant, Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, seem as besotted as ever – something Vanessa claims both parties ‘remain pleasantly surprised’ about!
Toy boy hook-ups are de rigueur at the moment on Planet Celeb, with everyone from Madonna to Jennifer Lopez stepping out proudly with younger men.
One high-profile liaison that has ruffled a few feathers lately is that of actress Kate Beckinsale, 44, who’s said to be ‘smitten’ with her new beau, actor Matt Rife, 22. Their significant age gap, coupled with the fact that Kate’s daughter, Lily, 18, with ex-hubby Michael Sheen, is just a few years younger than Matt, has got people talking.
Vanessa, herself an older woman with a younger man, has some refreshing advice for Kate. ‘I would say, enjoy his company and don’t allow yourself to act like his mum, his headmistress or his social worker,’ she philosophised.
‘Relax. Relish love in whatever form you find it and tell the rest of the world to mind its own business.’
Well said, Vanessa. Given her own rocky, unconventional road to true love, she knows what she’s talking about…