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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Janine Yaqoob & Zoe Delaney

Vanessa Feltz's ex claims he cheated because he was 'insecure' that she wouldn't marry him

Vanessa Feltz's former fiance claims he cheated on the TV star due to the fact she wouldn't marry him.

Ben Ofoedu, 50, says he had sex with an older woman in Ibiza while Vanessa, 60, was at home because he felt so insecure about his fiancée's reluctance to walk down the aisle.

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mirror, the Phats and Small admits to being a love cheat after Vanessa's confession their relationship was over earlier this month.

This Morning star Vanessa announced the news that she and Ben had parted after 16 years via social media, saying that she was "extremely sad and disappointed".

"Well I haven't been on Instagram for three weeks and that's because my relationship with Ben is over after sixteen years and I honestly didn't know what to say to you on Instagram," she told her followers during a candid video.

Ben Ofoedu speaks in detail about his split from Vanessa Feltz with the Sunday Mirror (Phil Harris)
The TV star announced her split from her fiance to fans on Instagram earlier this month (Getty Images for Bauer Media)

Speaking with the Sunday Mirror, Ben admits he has been unfaithful but claims he had his reason.

The musician confesses he slept with an older woman in Ibiza while Vanessa was at home and admits to a secret sexting relationship with a fan of his pop band Phats and Small - and he further betrayed Vanessa by getting flirty with a woman he met at a Butlin's holiday camp.

Detailing the dalliance in Ibiza while he was performing on the Spanish island in 2015, Ben recalls: "I met her on the gig scene. She was the same age as Vanessa, possibly older. She took a shine to me, said lots of nice things.

Ben says he cheated due to his own insecurities (Phil Harris)

"Over a short period of time we had sex three times. It was purely sexual, there were no feelings involved. It felt like a chore. I just fell back into it with her to keep her sweet and everything under wraps."

Reflecting on his infidelity, Ben explains: "I should have got some help after the first dalliance. I knew there was an insecurity. But I papered over the cracks and if you don’t tackle something it reared its head.

"I cheated because I was insecure. The girl in Ibiza said things like ‘You’re such a great guy. I don’t know why you’re not married. Who wouldn’t want to marry you?’ That coupled with alcohol was a recipe for disaster. It was a volatile situation. That’s why that happened."

Last year, Vanessa explained why she was hesitant to tie the knot for second time.

Ben popped the question just one year on from his first date with Vanessa (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite being blissfully happy at the time, Vanessa admitted her divorce from her doctor ex-husband Michael Kurer 21 years ago made her "wary of getting married again."

Speaking to OK! magazine, the TV presenter explained that while she would "never say never" to tying the knot again, she hasn't made any plans for a wedding to fiancé Ben, 49.

Vanessa's split from the father of her children derailed her "to the most terrific extent" and has made her "reluctant" to embark on a second marriage.

The former BBC Radio 2 host married Michael Kurer in 1985 and the former couple welcomed daughters Allegra and Saskia into the world before their divorce in 2000.

Ben is sorry for his actions (Phil Harris)

The split occurred when former Celebrity Big Brother contestant Vanessa discovered the doctor was cheating on her via newspaper reports.

"I was so shocked and broken-hearted and rocked to my absolute core," the mum-of-two admitted in February 2022.

"It makes you wary of getting married again. The marriage seemed to be so disposable - it could just be chucked down the toilet in 10 seconds flat, even though I didn’t want it to be and I didn’t realise there was any trouble with it or problems."

"So it made me feel a bit damaged and reluctant to ever do it again."

Ben appeared to share similar views to his partner of 16 years at the time, telling the publication: "If it ain’t broke don’t fix it."

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