In a whirlwind of romance and subtle shade, Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu has tied the knot with his new love, Vanessa Brown, just five months after their engagement. The 53-year-old crooner exchanged vows in a dreamy July ceremony at a picturesque Cumbria castle, marking what he called “a new beginning.” But despite the glow of his honeymoon and the joy of his new marriage, it seems Ben can’t quite let go of his past, dropping cryptic messages that hint at lingering feelings—or resentment—toward his ex-fiancée, TV star Vanessa Feltz.
Ben’s 16-year relationship with Vanessa Feltz, 63, came to a dramatic end in 2023 when allegations of infidelity rocked their romance. The This Morning presenter was devastated after uncovering what she described as Ben’s “double life,” with a trail of incriminating emails and social media messages pointing to multiple affairs. Vanessa bravely shared her heartbreak with fans on her TalkTV drive-time show, vowing to “rise like a phoenix from the ashes” despite the “shock” and “sadness.” She even underwent a stunning transformation, shedding two stone after the painful split.
4 Vanessa Feltz’s ex Ben Ofoedu had taken another swipe at herCredit: Getty
4 Ben is on his honeymoon with new wife, Vanessa BrownCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
4 He wore a hate with ‘2.0’ on the front, in the dig at Vanessa
Meanwhile, Ben appears to be reveling in his fresh start with Vanessa Brown, whom he married in a star-studded ceremony. Celebrating his new bride’s 30th birthday during their honeymoon, Ben posted a video of the couple sipping drinks on a scenic terrace. In a cheeky move, he panned the camera to himself, sporting a black cap emblazoned with “2.0”—a not-so-subtle jab that many interpreted as a reference to his new Vanessa being an “upgrade” over his former fiancée. Adding fuel to the fire, Ben captioned the post with a cryptic Jay-Z quote: “Men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t,” leaving fans buzzing with speculation about his intentions.
This isn’t the first time Ben has seemingly taken a swipe at his ex. Reflecting on his wedding, he told MailOnline that he had “wasted 17 years” of his life, a pointed remark that appeared to target his long relationship with Feltz. He also gushed about his lifelong dream of marriage, saying, “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.” In his groom’s speech at the reception, Ben reportedly referenced his past with Feltz, calling his marriage the “finale of the chapter that was 17 years of my life.”
While Ben basks in newlywed bliss, his repeated references to his former relationship have raised eyebrows. Is he truly moving on, or is he still haunted by his history with Vanessa Feltz? The TV star, for her part, has handled the breakup with grace, focusing on her career and personal growth. Her resilience shines through as she continues to captivate audiences, proving she’s more than capable of thriving post-heartbreak.