Wagatha: A luxury hotel, a mini-bar and a row that keeps rumbling on

The ongoing dispute between Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy, often referred to as 'Wagatha Christie', has returned to the courts, reigniting public interest in a saga that began five years ago. This high-profile case started when Coleen accused Rebekah of leaking private information about her to the media, which led to a libel trial in 2022. The court ruled in favor of Coleen, ordering Rebekah to pay a staggering £1. 8 million in legal costs. Recently, the two women found themselves back in court as Rebekah sought to reduce the amount she owes. This situation has captivated the British public, particularly due to its connection to the glamorous world of footballers' wives and girlfriends, known as Wags. Media lawyer Jonathan Coad, who has been closely following the case, mentioned that they will return to court next year for a detailed examination of the costs involved. He expressed disbelief at the ongoing nature of this dispute, calling it 'ridiculous'. nnDuring this week's hearing, the judge described the situation as a 'close-run thing', but ultimately, it appears that Coleen has emerged victorious once again. Rebekah's legal team presented several arguments to justify a reduction in the amount she has to pay, but the judge dismissed many of these claims. He concluded that Coleen's legal team had acted appropriately, although he noted that the decision was made 'on balance and, I have to say, only just'. As a result, Rebekah was ordered to pay an additional £100,000 to Coleen, bringing her total payments to £900,000. Coad remarked that Rebekah took a gamble in trying to lower her financial obligations, and it did not pay off, resulting in her having to pay even more. nnInterestingly, this time around, neither Coleen nor Rebekah attended the court proceedings, leaving their barristers to represent them. This absence led to a quieter atmosphere in the courtroom compared to the previous trial, which had attracted significant media attention. The tabloids still had a field day, with one headline dubbing the situation 'Wagatha Thrifty'. Although the arguments were less dramatic this time, there were still some noteworthy moments. One of the key points of contention involved a stay at the luxurious Nobu Hotel in London. Rebekah's lawyer claimed that Coleen's legal expenses included extravagant charges for the hotel, but Coleen's lawyer countered that these claims were inaccurate. He explained that the lawyer had initially booked a more modest hotel but had to switch to Nobu due to issues with the first hotel. The judge also ruled that it was reasonable for Coleen to hire a London-based law firm, given the high-profile nature of the case and the reputations at stake. nnAs the legal battle continues, the next steps will involve a detailed assessment of costs, which is expected to take place next spring. There remains a possibility that Rebekah could end up paying less than the estimated £1. 6 million, as some decisions are still pending. However, it is likely that both parties will incur even more expenses as they navigate this ongoing conflict. The judge's final remarks hinted at frustration, urging both women to resolve their differences and move forward.