Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney says his marriage to wife Coleen is in a "much better place" after he gave up alcohol and lost more than three stone. The ex-England captain, 41, said ditching booze almost six months ago has transformed his physical and mental health, and helped bring him and his wife closer together.
Lifestyle overhaul before jungle appearance
Speaking ahead of his appearance on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, Wayne said he had completely overhauled his lifestyle. The former football ace said Coleen, 40, has noticed the difference, not just in his appearance and overall happiness but in their relationship too, the Mirror reports.
He said: "She's obviously happy because I think, from a point of view of our marriage, it's in a better place, in a much happier place. And so that obviously makes a difference. So I think, yes, she's obviously said I look a lot better, but also from a mental point of view, I'm in such a better place as well."
Impact on daily life and fitness
Wayne said giving up alcohol has made a difference in all aspects of his life. Asked what sort of impact it has had, he said: "It has on everything... just in day-to-day living. Having stopped drinking for almost six months now it does help in terms of your food. I've just been eating, to be honest, probably as healthy as I've ever eaten over that period, and then training, getting back into a routine of training."
"So obviously it all ties in and all helps. And then I had weight to lose as well. So I think I'm just in a really good place, a really happy place."
The prospect of jungle rations and bushtucker trials encouraged Wayne to take his fitness seriously again. He added: "I think I got to a stage where I probably needed to, regardless anyway. But knowing that I was going into the jungle was a big part of it, and also I was preparing well for this in terms of cutting down on food and making sure I'm in the best possible place to handle what's thrown at me in here."
Weight loss and health benefits
Asked how much he has lost, he said: "Probably over 20 kilograms" before clarifying "That's over the space of years, though. That's not just for the last six months."
Wayne added: "I think just losing weight obviously helps with your skin, and not drinking helps from a health point of view as well. So I think it all ties into it."
