How Much Money Was At Stake In Wagatha Christie Trial
29 July 2022, 17:34
Coleen Rooney arrives at the High Court for the start of the ‘Wagatha Christie’ libel dispute
Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy’s court case has come to an end, and it cost the famous ladies a fortune.
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Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy’s infamous ‘Wagatha Christie’ famous High Court trial has concluded, with Rebekah Vardy losing her libel battle against Coleen Rooney.
It means Coleen doesn't have to pay any damages to Rebekah.
The proceedings between the stars – formerly friends who would support their husbands Wayne Rooney and Jamie Vardy when they played football together – was an explosive nine-day trial that captured the UK's attention.
Wagatha Christie: The Verdict Of Rebekah Vardy And Coleen Rooney’s Trial Is In
It's long been speculated that Coleen and Rebekah's legal fees could outweigh the winning fortune at the end, let's delve into the cost of 'Wagatha Christie'...
Media lawyer Jonathan Coad explained here that he estimated the legal costs for each side to be over £1million.
Even the winner – which was confirmed to be Coleen Rooney on July 29 – of the case will only recover about 70% of their legal bill, leaving them with £300k still to pay.
He explained that if any damages are awarded, it’ll only be between £15,000 to £40,000.
"It makes no sense for either of them. Even the winner is going to come out with a massive loss,” Mr Coad added, saying that it all comes down to ‘a determination to be right.’
However, Rebekah can still make money from her loss, through TV appearances, interviews and brand endorsements from outlets who still want to work with her.
Talent manager Jonathan Shalit told MailOnline: "I think in the context of the world we live in today, Rebekah is a stylish, attractive woman. I can still see clothing brands working with her because she makes clothes look good. She could make £2 million with these deals.
"I think for provocative TV shows, Rebekah is probably more interesting. Coleen is more discrete and more private, and doesn't want to put herself out there."
The civil case dates back to October 2019 after Coleen believed someone was leaking private information about her and her family to the tabloids and started an investigation of her own to figure out who might be behind it.
Over the course of a few months she made things up on Instagram Stories on her personal account, restricting who could read them.
The tales included a trip to Mexico for gender selection so their next child would be a girl, how she was in discussion for Strictly Come Dancing and even a story about her basement flooding.
Coleen later took to Twitter to explain she’d ‘blocked everyone from viewing my Instagram Stories except one account’ before delivering the now-iconic line: “It’s……. Rebekah Vardy’s account.”
Vardy denies being the leak, calling Coleen almost immediately to tell her she’s innocent, claiming a number of people have access to her social media accounts.
She decided to sue Coleen for libel in June 2020.
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