Wagatha Christie Timeline: How the Vardy v Rooney Libel Battle Played Out

Background

Coleen Rooney, wife of former England football captain Wayne Rooney, accused Rebekah Vardy, wife of Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, of leaking stories about her to the tabloid press in October 2019. Vardy denied the allegations, and the two women went to court in a libel case that began in May 2022.

Key Moments

* **October 2019:** Rooney posted a message on Twitter and Instagram accusing Vardy of leaking stories to the press. * **November 2019:** Vardy denied the allegations and hired a forensic IT expert to investigate who had accessed her Instagram account. * **May 2022:** The libel trial began in the High Court in London. * **July 2022:** Vardy lost the libel case and was ordered to pay Rooney's legal costs, estimated to be around £1 million.

Aftermath

The verdict was a major victory for Rooney and has had a significant impact on the relationship between the two women. Vardy has said that she plans to appeal the verdict.

Significance

The case has been dubbed "Wagatha Christie" by the media, and it has generated a lot of public interest. It is one of the most high-profile libel cases in recent years and has raised questions about the ethics of social media and the relationship between celebrities and the press.

Conclusion

The Wagatha Christie case is a cautionary tale about the dangers of social media and the importance of protecting your privacy. It is also a reminder that even celebrities are not immune to the law.