Loose Women's Janet Street-Porter has come under fire after making a comment on Wayne Rooney's appearance. During Wednesday’s edition of the ITV lunchtime show, the presenter and her fellow panellists discussed the Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy trial.
The former England and Manchester United footballer has attended court with his wife for each of the six days of the trial so far, sitting in the front row of Court 13 in the Royal Courts of Justice. On Tuesday (May 17), the 36-year-old moved into the witness box to give his evidence to the packed courtroom.
He described the "traumatic" impact of the last two-and-a-half years on his wife Coleen as he gave evidence during the "Wagatha Christie" libel trial, which is taking a break today ahead of closing speeches on Thursday (May 19). In a viral social media post in October 2019, Mrs Rooney, also 36, said she had carried out a 'sting operation' and accused Mrs Vardy, 40, of leaking 'false stories' about her private life to the press.
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Mr Rooney told the court that the period after his wife’s "reveal" post had been "very traumatic" for her and that he had watched her "really struggle". Mr Rooney said: "For me and my wife, we don’t want to be in this court. I've watched my wife over the last two-and-a-half years really struggle with everything, becoming a different mother, a different wife."
Mr Rooney later described how he was asked by then England manager Roy Hodgson and then assistant manager Gary Neville to speak to Mrs Vardy's husband, Leicester City striker Jamie, to ask his wife to “calm down” during the Euro 2016 tournament. The Derby County manager said Mrs Vardy had a column in The Sun newspaper at the time.
Mr Rooney said the two footballers had gone into a games room to sit down and speak, with Mr Vardy having a can of Red Bull and Mr Rooney a coffee. However, in a statement issued by Mr Vardy’s representatives outside the hearing, he said: "Wayne is talking nonsense. He must be confused because he never spoke to me about issues concerning Becky’s media work at Euro 2016. There was nothing to speak about, I know this because I discuss everything with Becky."
The Loose Women ladies, including Janet, Jane Moore, Coleen Nolan, and Christine Lampard, were discussing the latest from the trial when Janet commented: "It’s become the battle of the blokes. Have you ever seen Wayne Rooney looking so smart? Wayne has been ordered by his wife to shape up, fit into that suit and my goodness it looks like he is about to explode out of it any minute."
But those watching the ITV show live at home were unimpressed by her comments and took to Twitter to complain. @Sgt_Jack_Stone wrote: "@loosewomen fat shaming Wayne Rooney isn't cool." @@Gazza595 fumed: "@ITV @loosewomen Janet Street Porter fat shaming Wayne Rooney! If this was a man fat shaming a women on TV there would be outrage! What are you going to do about this?"
@emrussell95 commented: "@loosewomen spend everyday promoting MENS mental health, yet Janet has just body shamed @WayneRooney and nobody even looked twice? Okay then."
