Chantelle Heskey has confirmed she is divorcing the former Liverpool striker
Former Liverpool FC player Emile Heskey with Chantelle Heskey at the film premiere of One Night in Istanbul at the Odeon Cinema Liverpool ONE in 2014
Former Liverpool FC player Emile Heskey with Chantelle Heskey at the film premiere of One Night in Istanbul at the Odeon Cinema Liverpool ONE in 2014(Image: Liverpool Echo)
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Former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey has split from his wife as rumours have swirled about who is new partner is. Emile scored 39 goals in 150 appearances for the Reds from 2000 to 2004, winning two League Cups, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup during his time at Anfield.
The forward was recently named 71st out of 100 in a new list, organised by Liverpool FC, of the club's greatest ever players. The former England international married Chantelle Heskey, who is from Toxteth, in 2014 in a lavish ceremony at Rookery Hall in Cheshire, surrounded by family and friends, including a host of football stars.
As the MEN reports, it was the same luxury country hotel where David and Victoria Beckham also announced their engagement in 1998. However, friends and followers of the Heskey's have been left "confused" in recent weeks as pictures emerged on social media of Emile arm-in-arm with a new woman.
He was pictured with former Miss Blackpool Jade Slusarczyk in the posts on Instagram. Emile and Jade were pictured on the red carpet at the Ricky Hatton tribute event at Manchester's AO Arena in June, arriving hand in hand.
More recently at the weekend, they shared pictures together on social media supporting a darts event. Jade tagged Emile in the posts, with love heart emojis shared between the two.
Jade Slusarczyk posted this picture with Emile Heskey on their Instagram feeds on June 8 after the Ricky Hatton tribute event
Jade Slusarczyk posted this picture with Emile Heskey on their Instagram feeds on June 8 after the Ricky Hatton tribute event
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The MEN confirmed that Emile and Chantelle's marriage has been over since last year and that they are currently in the process of divorcing.
A friend of Chantelle's told the MEN: "Their marriage has been over for a while, but not many people know, they have kept it very quiet.
"But now that Emile appears to have gone public with his new girlfriend it's been quite difficult for Chantelle as lots of people have been messaging her asking what's going on."
The friend added that the couple had "grown apart" in recent years with their work commitments.
Emile Heskey, far left, celebrates Michael Owen's winning goal against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final with Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler
Emile Heskey, far left, celebrates Michael Owen's winning goal against Arsenal in the 2001 FA Cup final with Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
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Jade's social media biography reads that she is a Sky Sports Walk-on Girl with sports listed including Snooker Shootout, Mosconi Cup Pool and Darts. Jade, 40, a former Miss Blackpool, had previously been in a high profile relationship with snooker world champion Jimmy White, 63, who she had been dating since 2018.
Emile first met Chantelle Tagoe when she was a waitress in Liverpool when she was 18 and Emile had just joined Liverpool as a 23-year-old star striker.
Chantelle has previously said how she had thought Emile was a builder when she first met him, having no idea he was a football star for the Reds.
Chantelle Heskey pictured in Alderley Edge in 2018
Chantelle Heskey pictured in Alderley Edge in 2018(Image: Manchester Evening News)
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Their relationship got off to a rocky start, though, as Emile was already in a relationship with another woman, Kylee Pinsent, with who he has three children.
After that relationship ended, Emile reunited with Chantelle in 2004. He popped the question to Chantelle in 2006, and they would go on to enjoy a fairytale wedding at Rookery Hall in Cheshire in 2014.
Chantelle went on to become a popular face on Cheshire's social scene, making friends with a host of the fellow wives and girlfriends of Premier League stars in the area. She organised a host of charity events and themed parties, including her legendary annual Halloween bash in Alderley Edge.
She would later go on to open a bar, Parea, in Alderley Edge with business partners and later returned to Liverpool to open its sister restaurant, Honuku by Parea, on Park Road in Dingle.
Since retiring from football in 2016, Emile has worked as a TV pundit and also returned to his home city club in Leicester, working as the head of women's football development at Leicester City Women.
Meanwhile Chantelle has been busy with her bars business, and in recent years cheering on the couple's two oldest children who are now following in their dad's footsteps in the professional football world.
Reigan, 18, and Jaden, 20, both made their first team debut for Manchester City together earlier this year, and are tipped for big things in the season ahead, with Reigan already gaining his first caps for England. Chantelle and Emile are also parents to daughters Milanna, 11, and Mendez, 9.
Chantelle has confirmed to the MEN that she is divorcing Emile, but did not wish to add further comment. We have asked Emile's representatives for comment.