Just when we thought the Wagatha Christie drama had wrapped up for good, along comes one final twist in the tale – and this one’s going to sting (especially for Rebekah Vardy’s bank account).
Yes, folks, it’s official: Rebekah Vardy has been ordered to pay a whopping £1.4 million to Coleen Rooney to cover her legal costs in their infamous libel battle. We know, it’s a number so big it makes our eyes water. But if you’ve been following the saga since that jaw-dropping Instagram post in 2019, you’ll know that this courtroom showdown has been as expensive as it’s been dramatic.
A Quick Recap
In case you’ve been living under a rock (or just need a refresher), this all kicked off when Coleen Rooney turned detective and publicly accused Rebekah Vardy of leaking stories from her private Instagram to the press. The post ended with that now-iconic line: “It’s… Rebekah Vardy’s account.” And just like that, Wagatha Christie was born – a nickname combining WAG culture with Agatha Christie levels of sleuthing genius.
This has been a burden in my life for a few years now and finally I have got to the bottom of it…… pic.twitter.com/0YqJAoXuK1
— Coleen Rooney (@ColeenRoo) October 9, 2019
Naturally, Rebekah didn’t take the accusation lying down. She sued Coleen for libel, insisting she wasn’t the leak and that the public naming had ruined her reputation. Cue the court case of the century, complete with WhatsApp drama, missing phones, and more shade than a Love Island reunion.
Spoiler: Rebekah Lost
Back in 2022, the court ruled in favour of Coleen. The judge decided that her claims were “substantially true” – which is legal speak for “yep, she had good reason to post what she did.” Rebekah was found to have not only leaked stories but also been “evasive” and “not credible” on the stand.
It was a brutal verdict for team Vardy. But what we didn’t fully know back then was just how much that loss was going to cost her.
£1.4 Million. Let That Sink In.
This week, the final bill came in – and it’s not exactly small change. In total, Vardy must hand over nearly £1.2 million to cover the bulk of Coleen’s legal costs, plus an extra £212,000 or so in additional court-assessed fees. That brings the grand total to around £1.4 million. And that’s just Coleen’s legal bill.
When you add in Rebekah’s own legal costs (which she still has to pay herself), experts reckon the whole affair could have cost her close to £3 million. All over a few leaked Instagram stories. We’ll just let that sit with you for a second.
Where Do They Go From Here?
Neither Coleen nor Rebekah turned up for the final hearing this week – probably a smart move. It’s safe to say they’re both well and truly done with this saga. And who can blame them? It’s been dragging on since 2019, and between the headlines, the legal fees, and the intense public scrutiny, they’ve both had a lot to deal with.
That said, things seem to be looking up for Coleen. She’s been busy with her Disney+ documentary Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story, which has done seriously well, and she’s looking more confident than ever. Whether you’re Team Coleen or Team Rebekah, it’s hard not to admire how she turned a stressful situation into something empowering (and, let’s be honest, kind of iconic).
As for Rebekah? She’s kept a much lower profile lately. After losing the trial, she gave a few emotional interviews but has since stepped back from the limelight. Sources say she’s focused on her family and trying to move on, but this final ruling is a pretty big blow to bounce back from. A legal defeat is one thing – but a seven-figure invoice? That’s another level.
Lessons Learned (Maybe?)
If there’s one thing we’ve all learned from this saga, it’s that airing your dirty laundry on social media can come back to bite. Hard. What started as a spicy Instagram post ended in one of the most expensive libel trials in UK history. And while the memes were funny, the consequences were very, very real.
But let’s be honest: part of the reason the nation couldn’t look away is because this whole story felt like something out of a soap. Glamorous football wives, dramatic reveals, courtroom drama, and a mystery at the centre of it all? It was made for TV – and thanks to streaming platforms, that’s exactly what it became.
Is This the Final Chapter?
We think so. With the legal bills settled and both women clearly keen to close the book on this saga, it feels like the final curtain has fallen on Wagatha Christie. Unless there’s a surprise sequel in the works (and please, no one mention Wagatha 2), this is likely the end.
But in true gossip mag fashion, we’ll leave you with this: if you’re ever tempted to post a cryptic message about someone on Instagram, maybe sleep on it. Because as we’ve seen, those little ellipses can cost a lot of money.
Here’s to Coleen, Rebekah, and one of the wildest celebrity stories we’ve ever covered. Thanks for the drama, ladies. It’s been unforgettable.