Coleen Rooney is being credited as the mastermind behind husband Wayne Rooney's on-air transformation during the FIFA World Cup, where he has taken on a prominent punditry role for the BBC. The former England star, now 40, has swapped his on-pitch exploits for in-depth analysis from the studio, and his new clean-shaven look has surprised fans.
Coleen's influence on Wayne's appearance
According to a source quoted by The Sun, Coleen was aware that Wayne was unhappy with his appearance and understood the importance of his punditry role. She reportedly put him on a diet and exercise regime before his flight to the US. The source said: "He’s 40 now, so it felt like now or never. She has been encouraging him to work out with her in their home gym. They also have a PT who has been round to help him. Then there has been facials and various other treatments to make sure he’s looking his best and, of course, they went on a big shopping spree to make sure he looked super smart."
Positive viewer reaction
The transformation has not gone unnoticed by viewers. One social media user commented: "Rooney suddenly looks like a 30 year old." Wayne has seemingly found his footing in punditry after a challenging period as a manager following his playing career.
Coleen's ongoing feud with Rebekah Vardy
Meanwhile, Coleen's own public profile continues to rise, though a source claimed in May that she "fears her brands will be wrecked" as her feud with Rebekah Vardy persists. This comes after the Vardys released a fly-on-the-wall show this year. The source said: "Coleen doesn’t need Becky’s show airing at the moment. She doesn’t want the court case being dragged up again and her name being on the front page of the newspapers."
The Wagatha Christie saga
Coleen documented her side of events in the pair's high-profile court case, releasing the Disney+ documentary series Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story in 2023. In the show, she explained how she gathered evidence regarding leaked stories but never anticipated being sued. Speaking to Woman’s Hour, she described the court case as "one of the toughest times I’ve had," adding: "I would never in a million years have thought a court case could come from that. I did not want to go to court and I was terrified because I’ve never been in a courtroom before."
