Coleen Rooney has shared advice for anyone beginning a relationship with a famous footballer, crediting the fact that she knew Wayne Rooney before he became a star as a key factor in their 24-year romance.
The couple met as schoolchildren and began dating at 16, before Wayne's rise to prominence at Everton and his £27million transfer to Manchester United in 2004, when he was 18. Coleen was by his side throughout, and the pair have faced public scrutiny for more than two decades.
Staying grounded amid media attention
In an interview with the Guardian, Coleen was asked what advice she would offer to someone starting a romance with a famous footballer. She said: "Well, the bonus for us was that we knew each other before Wayne was a footballer."
She added: "The biggest thing for us was to stay grounded, and we’ve had really good support around us. The people you have around you are really important because the media can destroy young people."
Coleen also offered insight into Wayne's character, describing him as "funny and laid-back" and a "charmer", but admitting he "can have a short temper".
Life in the spotlight
Coleen shot to fame five days before her 17th birthday, when Wayne scored a late winner against Arsenal to become the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history. She recalled being followed by paparazzi while walking to school, saying: "It is strange to think that I was literally walking to school. But that shows you how the media were then. Who takes pictures of a kid going to school? It was very intrusive."
The couple's upcoming Disney+ docu-series, The Real Rooneys, offers a look into their home life with their four sons - Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass. The series launches on Disney+ on September 24.
