Inside Vanessa Feltz's ex Ben's whirlwind romance and wedding after series of swipes

Vanessa Feltz's ex Ben Ofoedu recently tied the knot with his new partner after getting down on one knee to propose to her in New York Cityearlier this year. TV presenter Vanessa, 63, and the Phats and Small singer, 53, were together for 16 years and were ready for marriage before calling time on their relationship after he cheated on her.

With Ben now married to Vanessa Brown, his ex Vanessa couldn't help but take a swipe at him. It comes after Ben seemingly made a dig of his own. Following his ceremony at a stunning Cumbria castle, he explained how his nuptials were “a new beginning” and said: "I wasted 17 years of my life."

While discussing spouses on her Channel 5 show, she said to the other stars: "And I'm sitting here single, single and all alone."

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Ben and his new wife met last year while he was with his old girlfriend, Precious. The couple met at an awards ceremony in April of that year, but they didn't get together until a few months later.

Vanessa, who is an aesthetics expert who is over two decades younger than Ben, had the happiest shock of her life when Ben got down on one knee to propose to her in Central Park in New York City in February.

“Vanessa was completely surprised. They were walking through the park, reminiscing about Elf, when Ben suddenly proposed,” a source told The Sun at the time. “It was so heartfelt — happy tears, laughter, and, of course, an immediate yes!”

Six months later, they tied the knot in a gorgeous ceremony at Rose Castle in Cumbria. In pictures shared online, the £100k ceremony featured famous faces and a lavish drone show.

Ben rocked a cream suit and black shirt for the ceremony while Vanessa sported a strapless lace gown. Among the 72 guests were the likes of Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, S Club 7’s Bradley McIntosh, and 911’s Lee Brennan. Ben's best man was none other than Shane Lynch.

Ben’s former Phats & Small bandmate, Rodney Williams, also gave a heartfelt speech during the special evening. When it was time for Ben and Vanessa's first dance, they opted for the band's own song, Every Day I Love You.

Guests were treated to Jeal-Noel Geritage Champagne and watched in awe when it was time for the drone show, which depicted the couple's love story.

The couple shared their love story in their order of service, which read: "We met on the 19th April 2024 at the Elite Awards in Carlisle – a night we will never forget. It just so happened that Ben was performing [at the event] with Boyz on Block as a last-minute addition after Boyzlife [comprising Boyzone’s Duffy and Westlife’s Brian McFadden] had to cancel. If Brian and Keith had not stepped back, Ben wouldn’t have been on that stage, and we might never have met.

“After the show, we ended up chatting – nothing planned or forced. That conversation sparked something real, and everything changed from there. Since that night, we’ve packed a lifetime into a year. Then, in February 2025, during the most unforgettable trip to New York, Ben proposed. Now standing here on our wedding day with all of you, it’s surreal and beautiful to think how it all began.”

Speaking to MailOnline following his big day, Ben said: "I have always wanted to be married since I was seven years old. I always wanted to be with someone who would take my surname.

"I almost gave up on marriage, thinking there wasn’t a lady that would walk down the aisle for me. I can’t believe the day has come, it is a dream come true. It feels like I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life. This is the finale of the chapter that was 17 years of my life."

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