One of Manchester United's greatest ever stars has never been far away from scandal during his storied career as a player, manager and now a TV pundit
Wayne Rooney reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France
Rooney had his own show on the BBC throughout the World Cup(Image: 2026 Xavier Laine)
One of Manchester United's greatest ever stars has consistently found himself at the centre of controversy throughout his illustrious journey as a footballer, manager and now TV pundit. And a lot of it has been focused on his alleged infidelity away from the pitch.
From his breakthrough years as a wonderkid at Everton, the Red Devils icon and ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney's reported extramarital affairs have been splashed across the media for all to witness, forcing his childhood love and spouse Coleen to endure the pair's private troubles being exposed publicly.
On the field, Rooney was collecting Premier League trophies and establishing himself as both United and England's all-time leading marksman. Off it, his marriage was battered by controversies and adultery claims, yet the duo remained united through extraordinarily turbulent times, and will be marking Wayne's 41st birthday today, Saturday, October 24.
Coleen Rooney has forgiven her husband Wayne time and time again
Coleen Rooney has forgiven her husband Wayne time and time again(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
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From supposed encounters with older women to alleged threesomes with sex workers – here's a retrospective of Wayne Rooney's most disgraceful episodes.
Whispers initially emerged about Rooney's supposed unfaithfulness in 2004 when The Sunday Mirror claimed he betrayed then-partner Coleen with a 21-year-old sex worker named Charlotte Glover.
Charlotte was reportedly handed £140 for the liaison and departed with an autographed picture as a keepsake. Months afterwards, it was revealed the footballer made multiple trips to a £45-per-session brothel in Liverpool, which was captured on CCTV.
As a young player Wayne Rooney was caught up in numerous scandals
As a young player Wayne Rooney was caught up in numerous scandals(Image: PA)
Patricia Tierney
Patricia Tierney, nicknamed Auld Slapper, denied sleeping with the footballer
It was claimed he made at least 10 late-night visits and had encounters with Gina McCarrick, 37, and a 48-year-old grandmother Patricia Tierney, dubbed the Auld (Old) Slapper, who donned a rubber catsuit.
Patricia refuted the allegations, as the mum-of-seven claimed she only ever worked as a receptionist at a massage parlour. However, it later emerged she had previously told police she worked as a hooker and the grandmother-of-16 was forced to drop a legal battle against The Sun newspaper.
Rooney went on to admit to sleeping with unnamed prostitutes. He said: "Foolish as it now seems I did on occasions visit massage parlours and prostitutes. I now regret it deeply and hope people may understand that it was the sort of mistake you make when you are young and stupid.
"It was at a time when I was very young and immature."
Wayne Rooney's 'Auld Slapper' Patricia Tierney
Wayne Rooney's 'Auld Slapper' Patricia Tierney
Jenny Thompson and Helen Wood are said to have romped with Wayne Rooney together
Jenny Thompson and Helen Wood are said to have romped with Wayne Rooney together(Image: Jeany Savage )
Coleen remained silent on the allegations at the time, though she later revealed in her book, 'Welcome to My World', that she and Rooney had not yet been intimate when he visited the establishment.
Rooney made headlines again in July 2009 – just a month before wife Coleen gave birth – when £1,200 a night prostitute Jenny Thompson alleged Rooney had been unfaithful to Coleen once more.
Jenny claimed the pair had multiple encounters and described Rooney's bedroom performance as "pretty average".
When the allegations surfaced a year later, devastated Coleen left the family home and moved in with her parents. At the time, Rooney said: "My life is in ruins... I've been so stupid."
Jenny Thompson said Wayne Rooney was "pretty average" in bed
Jenny Thompson said Wayne Rooney was "pretty average" in bed(Image: ICELEBTV )
Helen Wood - Jenny Thompson
Helen Wood and Jenny Thompson allegedly had a threesome with Wayne Rooney
Coleen eventually forgave him.
Following the claims involving Jenny, Rooney allegedly had a threesome with her and Helen Wood. Both women issued public apologies to Coleen, while Helen, who later won Big Brother in 2014, said the footballer was remorseful.
In a no-holds-barred memoir, Helen penned: "It was years ago and it was all out of my control when it happened and I have made a massive mistake that I do regret."
The ex-escort alleged Rooney was consumed with guilt following the encounter, claiming he pleaded with her: "Why the hell did I do that? I feel really s*** already – I'm begging you two not to say anything. It will ruin my marriage if it gets out and having a kid means everything to me."
Jenny Thompson
Jenny Thompson was said to have bedded Wayne Rooney(Image: ICELEBTV )
Helen Wood
Helen Wood revealed her relationship with Rooney in a tell-all book
Coleen pardoned her other half and subsequently welcomed sons Klay in 2013 and Kit in 2016.
Rooney found himself in hot water once more in September 2017 when officers nabbed him behind the wheel while over the limit in 29-year-old Laura Simpson's motor, while Coleen was expecting the pair's fourth baby, Cass.
The fallout from the episode saw Rooney slapped with a driving ban and ordered to carry out community service. A devastated Coleen initially fled to her mum and dad's place, but returned to the family residence just 48 hours later.
During an appearance with Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield on This Morning, Laura Simpson - who was introduced to the footballer through a mutual acquaintance - insisted the duo enjoyed a "kiss and a cuddle" before the sportsman "ogled her breasts".
Laura Simpson the party girl who was with former England striker Wayne Rooney when he was arrested for drink-driving
Laura Simpson the party girl who was with former England striker Wayne Rooney when he was arrested for drink-driving
Laura Simpson claimed Rooney "ogled her breasts"
Laura Simpson claimed Rooney "ogled her breasts"
Laura subsequently disclosed the exchange she purportedly had with Coleen: "She asked me to tell her what happened. She seemed unhappy with the fact that we had left a nightclub in a cab together to go to my car."
Coleen insisted she would have coped "fine" as a single mother, but chose to give Wayne another chance.
The Independent reported she posted on Facebook: "I know I would be fine on my own, with just me and my children, but I don't want to live like that, I want to try and continue our marriage and live as a family, because that's what I want to do.
"I know my own mind and it's something I want to try and work on... Yes, it has been a s*** time."
Admitting his error, Rooney subsequently said: "Sometimes you make mistakes. I held my hands up. I made a mistake.
"I knew straight away I had made a stupid mistake and I have to move on. It's not nice. I've got children and it is not nice for them to see that and I try to move on and learn from it which I feel I am doing."
In February 2019, following Rooney's relocation to America after signing for Washington outfit DC United, he embarked on a 10-hour drinking session with barmaid Vickie Roseik in Florida.
She's believed to have spotted him in the bar days beforehand and asked him to tag along with her and her mates who were heading to a late-night venue over Super Bowl weekend.
Off-duty barmaid Vicki recognised the ex-England star
Off-duty barmaid Vicki recognised the ex-England star(Image: FACEBOOK)
Vicki reportedly drove Rooney to the bar where she and a companion stayed for half an hour before departing, though nothing is alleged to have occurred between them. Months on, Rooney was photographed in a Vancouver hotel lobby at 5am, following an unidentified woman into a lift.
The details of what transpired remain murky, but Coleen was seen without her wedding ring and is said to have insisted he return home immediately.
In 2021, Rooney found himself in another compromising situation, though there's no indication of any wrongdoing on his part, when he was photographed sleeping in a hotel room with young women.
The then-Derby County boss was pictured on Snapchat by model Tayler Ryan and her friends Elise Melvin and Brooke Morgan. Rooney was livid that the photos were shared without his consent and suspected he'd been the target of a "set-up".
Tayler Ryan posted pictures of her with Wayne Rooney
Tayler Ryan posted pictures of her with Wayne Rooney(Image: Tayler Ryan/Instagram)
Since then, Rooney has spoken candidly about his remorse over past indiscretions that nearly destroyed his marriage to Coleen.
In his Amazon Prime Video documentary, he admitted: "There is stuff that has happened in the past, like things with girls for instance. It is stuff that I regret.
"It is stuff that I feel has stuck against my name. I think it is important, because it is part of what has happened in my life growing up and it has stuck.
"Maybe time is my reputation as a person. People still see that and they look at me in a different way. I am not that person. I am not that type of person."
In December 2024, while enduring a difficult stint as Plymouth Argyle manager, Rooney turned to Instagram to dismiss allegations relating to a man and woman featured in a video that had gone viral on social media.
Rooney, who was residing in Devon away from Coleen and the kids, clarified that he merely welcomed a couple inside after they'd driven him and his son back home.
He posted on Instagram: "I am aware of a video circulating online. The video shows a man and woman looking around my apartment. The couple kindly gave me a lift home and were in there at the same time as my son who was visiting.
"Footage is from last summer. It is annoying that at least one online newspaper has chosen to edit the footage to make it appear as though a woman entered the apartment on her own. That is simply not true."
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