Wayne Rooney is part of the BBC’s World Cup team and will appear on their broadcast of the England vs Argentina semi-final clash
Wayne Rooney will be part of the BBC’s World Cup coverage of England vs Argentina. And there are not many more suitable than England’s second all-time goalscorer to run the rule over Harry Kane and co.
The former Manchester United forward has been a regular for the broadcasters in the United States as he settles into life post-football. Rooney enjoyed a headline-grabbing career on and off the pitch, featuring in three World Cups.
He became a United hero and also had stints at Everton, DC United and Derby County. However, Rooney grabbed media attention away from the pitch thanks to cheating scandals and trouble with American police.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Here, Manchester Evening News examines some major moments from Rooney’s life away from the pitch.
Cheating scandals
Wayne has been married to wife Coleen since 2008 but the pair have been rocked with numerous cheating allegations. In 2004, the ex-United star was reported to have visited a brothel in Liverpool on several occasions and paid for sex with three women aged 21, 37 and 48.
It was claimed that Rooney also signed autographs for other visitors as he waited his turn. Speaking out about the allegations, he said: “Foolish as it now seems, I did on occasions visit massage parlours and prostitutes.
“I now regret it deeply and hope people may understand that it was the sort of mistake you make when you are young and stupid.”
Coleen didn’t make a comment on the situation at the time, but revealed in her 2023 autobiography that the pair hadn’t been intimate before his brothel visits. She wrote: “The truth is, and I’ve never said this before, at that time in our relationship, I’d never even slept with Wayne. I was only 16 and we weren’t having that kind of relationship at that stage.”
Six years later, Rooney was accused of further infedility when former escort Helen Wood claimed he had a threesome with her and another woman called Jenny Thompson. Wood insisted the incident occurred while Coleen was pregnant with their first son, Kai, and he regretted the affair immediately.
She said: “He said, ‘I feel really s*** already – I’m begging you two not to say anything. It will ruin my marriage if it gets out.’”
There were reports that Coleen moved out of their family home at that time but later reconciled, despite the pair never speaking out on the issue.
In 2017, just after he departed United, Rooney made headlines when he was arrested and charged with drink driving after a night out. The ex-England international wasn’t driving his own car, however; it actually belonged to Laura Simpson, whom he had met while out drinking.
Simpson claimed that Coleen called her after the arrest, telling The Sun: “She asked me to tell her what happened. She seemed unhappy with the fact that we had left a nightclub in a cab together to go to my car.”
Six years later, in Wayne’s 2023 documentary, the 40-year-old revealed that this scandal almost pushed the couple to the breaking point. Coleen said: “I forgive him but it wasn’t acceptable. If it comes up we talk about it like we are talking about it now. I haven’t got the anger I did at the time… Life goes on and I’ve moved on.”
Arrest at US airport
Rooney moved to Washington, D.C. in 2018 and signed for DC United after a year back at his boyhood club, Everton. Months after sealing the MLS deal, he was arrested for ‘public swearing and intoxication’ at Dulles airport after triggering a door alarm.
He paid a total fine of $116 (£86), and Rooney’s spokesperson claimed he was “disoriented” after being prescribed sleeping tablets and drinking alcohol. The statement read: “During the flight, Wayne took a prescribed amount of sleeping tablets mixed with some alcohol consumption and consequently was disoriented on arrival.
“He was approached by police who arrested him on a minor misdemeanour charge. He received a statutory automatic fine and was released shortly afterwards at the airport. The matter is now at an end. Wayne would like to put on record his appreciation for the manner he was treated by all involved. No further comment will be made.”
Huge BBC salary
While Rooney was commanding a whopping £300,000-a-week wage during his prime at United, his BBC salary is nothing to be sniffed at. In 2025, the ex-United man signed a two-year deal with the broadcaster which is worth a reported £800,000.
This contract established Rooney as one of the BBC’s most well-paid pundits. His current salary will be a pleasant boost to the ex-forward’s wealth, which is valued at an eye-watering £126m.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code DEAL.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login