Vanessa Feltz’s bitter ex takes a cruel swipe at her saying she ‘stole the best years of his life’
VANESSA Feltz's ex-fiancé Ben Ofoedu has cruelly hit out at her by claiming she "stole the best years of my life".
Broadcaster Vanessa, 61, called it a day with Phats & Small singer Ben, 51, early last year after he allegedly cheated on her multiple times.
Initially, Ben was apologetic and keen to win Vanessa back, calling his behaviour "a moment of madness".
But now he has done a 180 after starting a romance with Precious Muir, who starred in reality TV programme The Circle and, at 34, is 17 years his junior
Speaking to the Mail, he said: "I wasn't very clever with my last relationship. I didn't look at where the person was, and love was blinding me. I thought love conquers all but inevitably it doesn't.
"I gave myself to someone for a quarter of my life and ultimately I got nothing from it… it's absolutely heartbreaking.
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"I met Vanessa when I was 34 and I lived 17 years in her life and it was all what she wanted.
"So now I'm with Precious I feel 34 again and like I have got back my life. I have the same aspirations I had at 34."
It's a far cry from the grovelling stance he took last year when he told the Mirror: “I’d accepted the fact I wouldn’t have biological children. I’d given up that dream to be with Vanessa the rest of my life. She was more important.
“We were a family, I loved her grandchildren. I threw it all away in a moment of madness.”
Vanessa's confidence was left in shreds after her daughters received heartbreaking abusive messages from a troll on Christmas Day in 2022 alerting them to Ben's infidelity.
The nation watched her try and piece her love life back together on Celebs Go Dating last year, but the experiment proved fruitless and Vanessa is still single.
Last year she told us: “I had thought it might take a bit longer before this came out, because it’s a lot to deal with — a shock like this takes some adjusting to — but I am extremely sad and disappointed that my 16-year relationship with Ben is over.
“As an agony aunt I have said many times that once the trust in a relationship is gone, it can never be repaired or regained.
“So I have to take my own advice on this occasion.
“Who knew I’d be single at 60? However, ladies, it’s onwards and upwards and I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.”
Vanessa Feltz and Ben Ofoedu relationship timeline
2005
The couple meet at a Christmas party after being introduced by mutual friend Keith Duffy.
Ben tells OK! years later: “My first impression of you Feltzy was cheeky, very very cheeky and very very quick-witted."
2016
The pair get engaged in December after a whirlwind romance. Ben pulls out all the stops, covering their hotel bed in red roses.
2020
Ben teases on Loose Women that a ceremony is imminent. He says: "I think we'll be making an announcement very, very soon.
2022
The stance changes significantly. Vanessa tells OK!: "I do think ‘never say never’, but I certainly haven’t made any plans for a wedding and I think we’re quite happy this way."
2023
Shocked Vanessa announces the relationship is over, heartbroken by Ben's infidelity.
Vanessa met Ben in 2005, having divorced surgeon Michael Kurer in 2000 following allegations of cheating.
They were introduced by Ben's Boyzone pal Keith Duffy and quickly hit it off leading to an engagement in 2006.
They lived happily at their £3.5million home in St John’s Wood, North London, before Ben was sent packing after the cheating details came to light.
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Sources reckon it was Nineties electro-dance group Phats & Small’s return to performing, as a nostalgic act touring holiday parks, that appeared to have enabled Ben’s infidelity.
