Now, the Vardy v Rooney libel case will finally come to an end when the judgment is handed down by Mrs Justice Steyn at around midday. As the decision will be remote, it is unlikely that either Rebecca Vardy or Colin Rooney will attend court. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player 3:39 It all started with a social media post in October 2019 that quickly went viral. The case revolves around a social media post shared by Rooney in October 2019, which quickly went viral. Coleen Rooney has revealed her ‘sting operation’ to smoke out someone she said was responsible for leaking ‘false stories’ about her private life to the press. She said she planted these fake stories on her personal Instagram account and changed her privacy settings to make them visible to only one suspect – Rebekah Vardy – so when they hit the Sun headlines, she could trace the leak. The internet quickly christened Rooney Wagatha Christie – in a nod to world-renowned British crime novelist Agatha Christie. Image: Rooney and Vardy at the 2016 UEFA European Championship. Pic: AP What is the Wagatha Christie case: Read more Vardy has always strongly denied the allegations and in June 2020 filed to sue Rooney for defamation, claiming she had suffered “very serious damage to her reputation” as a direct result of the post. Rooney defended the allegation on the basis of truth and that it is in the public interest. After more than two years of legal wrangling and various unsuccessful attempts at mediation, the case is now coming to an end. Image: Rebekah and Jamie Vardy leave the Royal Court in May Image: Wayne and Coleen Rooney both gave evidence at the trial Various celebrities – including Danielle Lloyd and Boris Johnson’s father Stanley – have even taken sides on the very public issue. And earlier this month it was revealed that Channel 4 will make a drama based on the trial. During the trial, Vardy was questioned about her previous relationship with pop star Peter Andre, Rooney spoke of past rough patches in her marriage and her husband Wayne Rooney testified in court that he knew nothing about the “sting” operation until he saw his wife’s Instagram post – just like the rest of us. Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Spreaker Regardless of the outcome of the trial, the spotlight on celebrities selling stories to newspapers is likely to affect showbiz journalism in the future. And questions about online privacy when it comes to sharing your personal life on social media will inevitably have ramifications for everyone—not just the rich and famous and their enviable Instagram lives.
