Vanessa Feltz has opened up about spending her 61st birthday as a single woman today following her heartbreaking split from fiancé Ben Ofoedu.
The This Morning agony aunt said she feels 'battered and bruised' following the life-changing break-up and believed she was 'born and bred to be married.'
Vanessa called time on the 16 year relationship in January after discovering that her long-term love had cheated with several different women over a period of two decades.
The TV personality found out about Ben's infidelity on Christmas Day, which put an abrupt end to their engagement.
As Vanessa continues to navigate her way through her heartbreak, the much-loved TV star has revealed that she is still optimistic about the future and finding love again despite the fact she feels 'battered and bruised' over Ben's betrayal.
Speaking out on her 61st birthday, Vanessa said she remains hopeful.
"I am curious about who and what the future will bring," she penned in her Express column.
Vanessa told fans she's putting her 'best foot forward in the time-honoured position' as she looks ahead to a bright year, leaving the past behind her.
It comes after Vanessa's daughter revealed that she was sent messages claiming that her mum's fiance, Ben, was cheating on her on Christmas Day.
The family were opening presents and having 'a lovely time' when messages revealing Ben’s betrayal were sent to Vanessa’s daughter Allegra via Instagram, she has said.
Although the messages were anonymous, Allegra said there was enough detail in them to know the accusations were true.
She then had to make the decision to tell her mum the heartbreaking news during what should have been one of the family’s happiest days of the year.
At the time Phats & Small singer Ben was away performing in panto and has now moved out of the home he shared with Vanessa.
Allegra, 37, and her younger sister Saskia, 34, were left 'utterly distraught' after learning about Ben’s behaviour.
Recalling the moment they discovered what he had been up to, Saskia told The Sun : “It was Christmas day of all days. We were all together as a family, but Ben was away in pantomime, when the messages appeared via Instagram.
“It was anonymous – and of course it revealed lots that we didn’t know – but it was also very abusive and extremely hurtful.
“We don’t keep things from each other in our family so we knew we had to share that with mum.”
Devastated Vanessa said she never expected to be single again at the age of 60 as she thought her and Ben, 50, would be together until she died.
Announcing the news they had parted in a heartfelt social media post, Vanessa told her followers: “Well I haven’t been on Instagram for three weeks and that’s because my relationship with Ben is over after 16 years and I honestly didn’t know what to say to you .
“But now it’s clear that it’s over and I really do feel that once the trust in a relationship is gone then you can’t really get it back, and that’s what I would tell anyone else to do.”
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