Vanessa Feltz splits from fiancé Ben Ofoedu amid claims he ‘cheated’

Vanessa Feltz has split up from her fiancé Ben Ofoedu amid claims he ‘cheated with several other women’.

Television and radio host Vanessa, 60, has said she is shocked and heartbroken over Phats & Small singer Ben’s alleged infidelity.

The couple have been together for 16 years and have regularly spoken out about their romance, and are often seen looking cosy on the red carpet at glitzy events.

But former Celebrity Big Brother housemate Vanessa is said to have been distraught to have learned of Ben’s ‘double life’.

This Morning regular Vanessa reportedly found a string of social media messages and emails from Ben, 50, to other women.  

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End of the road: Vanessa Feltz, 60, has split up from her fiancé Ben Ofoedu, 50, amid claims he ‘cheated with several other women’ (Vanessa pictured last month)

She told The Sun on Sunday: ‘I had thought it might take a bit longer before this came out, because it’s a lot to deal with — a shock like this takes some adjusting to — but I am extremely sad and disappointed that my 16-year relationship with Ben is over.

‘As an agony aunt I have said many times that once the trust in a relationship is gone, it can never be repaired or regained.  

‘So I have to take my own advice on this occasion.

‘Who knew I’d be single at 60? However, ladies, it’s onwards and upwards and I firmly believe that the best is yet to come.’

MailOnline has contacted a representative for Ben for comment. 

Vanessa and Ben first met in 2005 after she divorced surgeon Michael Kurer in 2000.

Sources told The Sun on Sunday that Ben’s return to touring with Phats & Small at holiday parks around the UK led to his alleged roaming eye.

A friend of the couple told the publication Vanessa is ‘heartbroken, ashamed, devastated’ but they insist she is determined to take back control of her life and focus on her new TalkTV show.

Distraught: Television and radio host Vanessa, 60, has said she is shocked and heartbroken over Phats & Small singer Ben’s alleged infidelity (former couple pictured in May last year)

Vanessa married Michael Kurer in 1983 but their marriage ended 17 years later. They share daughters Allegra, 37, and Saskia, 34.

The television personality previously admitted she suffered after the divorce, admitting it left her ‘wary of getting married again’.

Speaking on the How To Fail podcast last year, Vanessa told how she felt as if she was physically broken after her husband left her.

She said: ‘I don’t need to give you all of the details, but effectively I put my arms around the wheels and said, “Please don’t drive away, please don’t leave us.”

‘I remember getting home from a wedding with him and thought he was getting ready for bed.

‘The next thing I saw, he was getting dressed and packing a case and said, “I’m leaving”. I didn’t understand what I’d done wrong.’

Vanessa later discovered Michael had allegedly cheated on before she went on to meet Ben after her divorce.

They were introduced by Boyzone singer Keith Duffy and they got engaged a year later.

Broadcaster Vanessa gave Ben the nickname ‘Young Beezy’, while he called her ‘Young Veezy’.  

However, speaking about the 10 years between them last month, Vanessa told The Sunday Times: ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that the age gap doesn’t matter.

‘It’s bloody annoying and it gets worse, especially as our relationship coincided with acres of menopause, which started on my very first day presenting the Radio 2 breakfast show in 2011 with a massive hot flush at 4am and is still going on.’