Wayne Rooney has vowed to be a better husband and dad after a family holiday to Portugal descended into a row, with Coleen revealing she considered separating from him. The couple's trip is featured in the new Disney+ series The Real Rooneys, which shows the reality behind Coleen's famous love of holidays.
Coleen, 40, is known for taking up to seven holidays a year, but the series reveals that the trips are far from relaxing for her. She meticulously plans everything, unpacks for all her children and Wayne, and even packs up to 18 suitcases for family trips to ensure they have everything they need.
Wayne's holiday frustrations
Wayne, who doesn't always join the family on every holiday, admits he finds the process stressful. He says: "Coleen is very particular. She wants everything to be perfect and done the right way, so we don't really get involved. There was one time when there was 18 suitcases." Asked about spending a day on the beach, he adds: "Can't think of anything worse."
He also reveals his fear of flying, saying: "I hate flying. From the World Cup in Germany, we flew back on the plane with the team. We go through a thunderstorm, and it's the worst I've ever experienced. The ladies who worked on the plane were sat down crying."
Coleen's love of family time
For Coleen, the holidays are a chance to have family time together, as often when they are at home the kids are doing a thousand different activities and Wayne will be working. Her joy of holidays comes from staying in a caravan growing up. She says: "As far back as I can remember I have loved a family holiday. My mum and dad come on a lot of holidays with us. We like the company, and we like them to help out with the kids as well!"
"I think life's just about creating memories, but there's something extra special about going away as a family and creating them. I love the weather. Holidays are just about having fun."
A vow to do better
The Portugal holiday, which features in episode five of the eight-part series, is where the couple have a row in which Coleen talks about "considering separating" from him, but ultimately says she loves him. Wayne, who stayed out until 3am drinking on the holiday one night to end up in the doghouse, vows to be a better husband and dad.
Coleen says: "We just need to know how to communicate a bit better, because at the end of the day, we're lucky to have each other. You can't help loving someone, can you? You know, that's the thing. Is he can be annoying and he can be a pain in the ass, but he is a good dad, and he is funny. He does make us laugh. But yeah, it's all down to love."
Wayne says: "When you do get married, you take that vow. You know you're going to have times where you make a mistake, but I want to be better. I want to be the best husband, dad I can be, and I take that responsibility serious as well. Marriages are tough, you know. You need to put the work in and the time and the dedication. She's the woman who I always wanted to be with for the rest of my life, and nothing has changed."
The pair currently appear to be on good terms, with a slim-looking Wayne enjoying lots of work and success after what has been dubbed a TV makeover. They have been making joint appearances to promote The Real Rooneys. After lots of work, it might be time for Coleen to book another holiday again.
Back in 2017 there were reports on her taking seven holidays in a year but in a tongue-in-cheek response, Coleen wrote on Twitter at the time: "7th holiday????…I thought it was more than that." Amongst her favourite destinations are Barbados and Portugal. When she was younger she also enjoyed holidays with her girl pals to places like Las Vegas and Paris.
The eight-part series The Real Rooneys is out now to stream on Disney+.
