You know those breakups that still sting years later, especially when your ex just won’t stop talking? That’s the kind of situation Vanessa Feltz is facing right now.
After her former fiancé Ben Ofoedu recently threw some rather harsh words her way, Vanessa’s inner circle is stepping up—determined to help her find happiness again.
From Red Carpets to Regrets: A 17-Year Romance Ends in Pain
Vanessa, now 63, had been in a long-term relationship with singer Ben Ofoedu, 53.
They met back in 2005 when she was a major broadcasting star and he was still best known for his time in the group Phats & Small.
Their chemistry was immediate. Within months, they were engaged, and soon became a regular fixture at media events and on reality TV.
But it wasn’t all red carpets and roses.
Behind the scenes, things slowly started to unravel.
The relationship eventually ended in 2023, after Ben admitted to cheating—an emotional blow for Vanessa that played out in public view.
Ben Moves On Fast—And Makes It Public
Fast forward to this week, and Ben has remarried—this time to aesthetics expert Vanessa Brown, whom he cheekily calls “Vanessa 2.0.”
The lavish wedding in Cumbria reportedly cost around £100,000. For Vanessa Feltz, that was understandably tough to watch.
Adding salt to the wound, Ben later spoke out about their past, saying, “I wasted 17 years of my life.”
He also said he’d never mention Vanessa’s name again and criticized the way she spoke about their relationship in the media. Ouch.
Friends Refuse to Let Vanessa Stay Down
Thankfully, Vanessa isn’t navigating this heartbreak alone.
Her friend Francine Lewis—who you might remember from Britain’s Got Talent—told MailOnline that she’s determined to find Vanessa a man who will treat her “like a queen, not a doormat.”
Another friend echoed those feelings, saying Vanessa’s been “really strong,” despite the heartbreak.
“He might be an ex, but she still has a heart that got broken—he didn’t hang about!” the pal added.
And Vanessa’s “girls” are sticking close, making sure she’s not going through this rough patch solo.
A Life Rebuilt After Therapy and Heartache
Ben, meanwhile, claims therapy helped him get clarity after the breakup.
He’s now disavowing long engagements and says people shouldn’t drag out relationships if they’re not truly committed.
But he also couldn’t resist another dig, saying he should’ve known better than to date someone so openly candid about their personal life on TV.
Still, for Vanessa, this isn’t the end of the story—it’s a chapter she’s determined to close with grace and hope.
Vanessa Still Believes Love Could Be Out There
Despite everything, Vanessa is still holding out hope for love.
She recently admitted that dating at her age feels like a “desert,” and finding a good partner is “impossible and agonising.”
Even after a brief secret romance last year, she’s currently single—and disheartened by the dating apps.
But a celebrity love story just gave her a glimmer of hope.
Jennifer Aniston’s Romance Sparks a Little Bit of Faith
Vanessa took inspiration from none other than Jennifer Aniston, who at 56, has reportedly found new love with hunky life coach Jim Curtis.
The pair were recently spotted sharing a romantic Fourth of July weekend aboard a yacht—and yes, there was PDA.
In her latest Daily Express column, Vanessa praised Jen’s new romance and called it a “beacon of hope” for mature women everywhere still searching for a meaningful relationship.
Dating in Midlife Feels Impossible—but Vanessa’s Not Giving Up
In her words, “It’s so tough, impossible and agonising to find a decent bloke these days.
The apps are hopeless. It’s a dating desert out there.” Still, she’s not closing the door on the idea of love.
“If Jen has indeed landed her own Mr Darcy,” Vanessa wrote, “then she’ll send a beacon of hope to the rest of us. Go girl!”
What’s Next for Vanessa?
As her friends rally around and offer to play matchmaker, Vanessa is standing tall.
She’s had her heart broken, yes—but she’s not letting it break her spirit.
Who knows? Maybe there’s a Mr. Darcy waiting for her too.