ITV weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth has revealed that she could only purchase lunch after receiving permission from her abusive ex-husband, Jonathan Wignall. The broadcaster, a familiar face on ITV Wales, endured years of coercive and controlling behaviour that left her financially dependent on him.
Financial Control and Isolation
Wignall would take Dodsworth's salary and then give her only the exact amount needed for a sandwich at lunchtime. This tactic ensured she had no means to socialise with colleagues or deviate from his control. 'My salary would go into my bank account but then he would take it out,' she told the BBC. 'In the last few years I had absolutely no access to my own money.'
Her bank card 'disappeared' and was never replaced, leaving her reliant on cash handouts. Dodsworth explained that the abuse escalated slowly, starting when Wignall's nightclub business declined. He went from being 'charismatic' to 'almost the other end of the scale.'
Stalking and Harassment
Wignall would bombard Dodsworth with calls and frequently turn up at the TV studios while she worked. He also used her fingerprint to access her phone while she slept, checking her messages. The campaign of harassment lasted nine years, culminating in his arrest in October 2019.
Dodsworth spent ten hours at the police station giving statements about 'the most intimate, degrading' moments of her life. She admitted she was unaware of controlling behaviour until police provided her with an informational booklet.
Impact on Health and Family
The abuse took a physical toll: Dodsworth's hair began falling out, and she would cry on her way to work before locking herself in a dressing room to apply makeup and conceal her distress. On the night before Wignall's arrest, her teenage children warned her not to return home after he threatened to drive to the studios to collect her.
After the relationship ended, Dodsworth was left 'absolutely penniless' and with debts she 'knew nothing about.' Wignall pleaded guilty to one count of coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking. In 2021, he was jailed for three years and received a restraining order. In one incident, he pushed Dodsworth, causing a fractured rib.
Support and Awareness
Dodsworth's story highlights the insidious nature of financial abuse and coercive control. For anyone affected by similar issues, support is available from the National Domestic Abuse helpline at 0808 2000 247.
