Coleen Rooney is an English media personality best known as the wife of former England footballer Wayne Rooney and as the woman behind the Wagatha Christie case. Born on April 3, 1986, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, the 40-year-old has written newspaper columns and books, presented her own television series and, in November 2024, finished as runner-up on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! She has been married to Wayne Rooney since 2008.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Coleen Mary Rooney (née McLoughlin) |
| Born | April 3, 1986 |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Birthplace | Liverpool, Merseyside, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Education | St John Bosco Arts College |
| Spouse | Wayne Rooney (m. 2008) |
| Children | 4 sons |
| Occupation | Media personality |
| Years Active | 2005–present |
| Known For | Wagatha Christie; I’m a Celebrity (2024) |
Who Is Coleen Rooney?
Coleen Rooney is an English media personality who has been in the public eye since her teens, first as the girlfriend and then the wife of footballer Wayne Rooney, and later in her own right as a columnist, author and television presenter. She wrote a column for Closer magazine, then a weekly fashion and news column for OK! magazine, and presented her own ITV series, Coleen’s Real Women. In October 2019 she became the centre of the Wagatha Christie story, when a social media post accusing Rebekah Vardy of leaking stories from her private Instagram account went viral.
In November 2024 she took part in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! series 24, finishing second to Danny Jones after 22 days in the jungle.
Early Life & Background
Rooney was born Coleen Mary McLoughlin in Liverpool on April 3, 1986, to Tony and Colette McLoughlin. Her father, a bricklayer, also ran a boxing club, and the family is of Irish descent. She is the eldest of four children. Her younger sister Rosie, who had Rett syndrome, died on January 5, 2013, at the age of 14. Rooney attended St John Bosco Arts College in Liverpool, leaving school with 10 GCSEs, including an A* for Performing Arts.
She met Wayne Rooney at the age of 12 in Croxteth, Liverpool, and the pair began a relationship when she was 16.
Career
Rooney began her media career writing a column for Closer magazine, Welcome to My World, leaving in 2008 to write a weekly fashion and news column for OK! magazine. Her presenting debut came in May 2006, when she assisted Sir Trevor McDonald on Tonight with Trevor McDonald in a programme about Rett syndrome. She went on to present her own ITV series, Coleen’s Real Women, in which she searched for real women to front advertising campaigns as an alternative to models.
In December 2005 she released the exercise DVD Coleen McLoughlin’s Brand New Body Workout, which became a bestseller in the UK. She was paid £3 million to front the George at Asda campaign, and in June 2010 signed a deal with Littlewoods. Her autobiography, Welcome to My World, was published in March 2007, followed by Coleen’s Real Style in 2008 and the four-book Coleen Style Queen series between 2008 and 2010. In early 2024 she became a brand ambassador for Applied Nutrition.
In November 2024 she entered the I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! camp for series 24, finishing as runner-up to Danny Jones after 22 days.
In October 2019, Rooney posted on Twitter that stories from her private Instagram account were being leaked to The Sun, and that she had restricted access to one person, Rebekah Vardy, implying she was the culprit. The post went viral and was dubbed Wagatha Christie. Vardy denied the allegation and sued Rooney for defamation in June 2020. After a trial in May 2022, Mrs Justice Steyn dismissed Vardy’s claim in July 2022, ruling that Rooney’s accusation was substantially true. A three-part Disney+ documentary, Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, followed in October 2023.
Facts About Coleen Rooney
- She met Wayne Rooney at the age of 12 and married him in Portofino, Italy, on June 12, 2008.
- She wrote a column for Closer magazine before moving to a weekly column for OK! magazine.
- Her 2005 exercise DVD, Coleen McLoughlin’s Brand New Body Workout, became a bestseller in the UK.
- She finished as runner-up on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! series 24 in November 2024.
- She is a patron of Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Coleen Rooney?
Coleen Rooney is 40 years old. She was born on April 3, 1986, in Liverpool, Merseyside, England.
Who is Coleen Rooney married to?
Coleen Rooney is married to former England footballer Wayne Rooney. They married in Portofino, Italy, on June 12, 2008.
How many children does Coleen Rooney have?
Coleen Rooney has four sons with Wayne Rooney: Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass.
What is Wagatha Christie?
Wagatha Christie is the name given to Coleen Rooney’s October 2019 social media post accusing Rebekah Vardy of leaking stories from her private Instagram account. Vardy sued for defamation, and in July 2022 a judge dismissed the claim, ruling Rooney’s accusation was substantially true.
How did Coleen Rooney do on I’m a Celebrity?
Coleen Rooney finished as runner-up on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! series 24 in November 2024, losing to Danny Jones after 22 days in the camp.