PRESENTER Fearne Cotton has found love again — 11 weeks after her split from husband Jesse Wood.
She was pictured kissing TV director Elliot Hegarty on a night out and pals say she is back in her happy place.
Fearne Cotton has found love again — 11 weeks after her split from husband Jesse Wood[/caption]
She was pictured kissing TV director Elliot Hegarty on a night out and pals say she is back in her happy place[/caption]
The public display of affection came as friends revealed they have been quietly dating since January[/caption]
The public display of affection came as friends revealed they have been quietly dating since January.
Fearne, 43, announced she had split with Reef guitarist Jesse — son of Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood — on December 16.
The Sun understands Elliot, 53, ended his marriage to his wife Laura, mum of his three children, ten days later on Boxing Day.
He has worked on BBC romcom Cheaters, and Disney+ hit Rivals.
Fearne, whose Happy Place podcast is a huge hit, enjoyed a kiss and cuddle with Elliot in the street on Thursday. They also walked hand-in-hand in London’s Soho.
Earlier she introduced Elliot to friends including TV fashion consultant Gok Wan over dinner.
A source said: “Fearne and Elliot have known each other for a while. When their marriages ended their friendship developed into romance.
“They have been seeing each other since January.
“Her split with Jesse was incredibly difficult but Elliot seems to make her incredibly happy.
“Fearne is now introducing Elliot to friends and they’re pleased to see her smiling again.”
The Sun contacted representatives about Fearne and Elliot’s relationship on January 17, and again yesterday, but they did not respond.
Elliot’s wife Laura was also contacted but did not respond.
Pals said Jesse, 48, has been blindsided to learn of Fearne’s new romance. He has not commented since the split.
A friend said: “It has been a difficult time for Jesse.”
The couple wed in 2014 after dating for three years, with Fearne calling him her “soulmate”.
They have two children, and Fearne is stepmum to two children from his previous relationship.
She announced their split on December 16, saying: “It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority has been and always will be our children.”
The Sun understands Jesse moved out while Fearne remained in the family home in West London.
Earlier this year, Fearne gave an insight about life following the split.
She told Hello! magazine: “I can’t pretend everything’s going swimmingly. I think we all know that’s not true.”
Meanwhile, pals say Elliot has moved out of his family’s North London home, with Laura and their children staying put.
Fearne’s Happy Place podcast has led to an annual festival and seen her interview a string of stars.
The couple also walked hand-in-hand in London’s Soho[/caption]
The Sun understands Elliot ended his marriage to his wife Laura, mum of his three children, ten days later on Boxing Day[/caption]
They have recently included Wag Coleen Rooney, singer Perrie Edwards and actor Olly Alexander.
Fearne found fame in the 1990s as a kids’ TV presenter and hosted shows including Top Of The Pops.
She was also a DJ and landed her own BBC Radio 1 show from 2009 to 2015 before going on to host shows on Radio 2.
Elliot has twice been nominated for Baftas and worked on TV adaptations of David Walliams’ children’s books.
He also directed comedian Jack Whitehall’s first film, The Bad Education Movie, in 2015.
Wife Laura shared a selfie with Elliot and Jack at the time and said: “The Bad Education Movie in cinemas now. Go see. Seriously funny stuff. Well done these guys! Last night was brilliant, thanks.
“Guess which one I went home with . . . ”
Elliot has directed Ted Lasso episodes and heads up Cheaters, a BBC comedy based on the fall-out from a one-night stand. Its second series screened in November.
Three years before her break-up, Fearne said that she and Jesse had gone through a difficult patch, including a two-hour screaming match in a park.
Writing in her Red Magazine column in 2019, Fearne said: “Love takes hard work — and no one wants to hear that. This year, Jesse and I hit a rough patch.
“He was away, touring relentlessly. I was trying to keep my own career going while looking after our kids and we were both desperately clinging on to our marriage.”
Fearne added: “In the midst of this gargantuan row, I think we both wondered where the love had gone and worried that it might not come back.”
Elliot attends a special UK screening of Rivals[/caption]
Hit BBC drama Cheaters[/caption]
The pandemic also took its toll, with Fearne revealing she struggled being “stuck within four walls trying to survive”.
She said: “I am a very fiery person, and Jesse can also be quite fiery.
“We’ve certainly argued in front of the kids. Most parents have at some point.
“It’s not regular but we have definitely had a pop at each other in front of them — and you don’t feel good about it after.
“I’ve also shouted at my kids like I think most parents have, especially during lockdown.”
Despite their struggles, Fearne and Jesse celebrated their tenth anniversary last July.
In a nod to David and Victoria Beckham, who marked 25 years of marriage last year by putting on their wedding outfits, Fearne and Jesse wore their original clothes and shared a photo online.
Fearne captioned it: “If it’s good enough for the Beckhams.
“It’s our wedding anniversary too. 10 years today. And we are back in our wedding outfits (not purple) and @jessejameswood can’t locate the shoes.”
Jesse also shared the post and said: “Happy 10th wedding anniversary to my beautiful wife!!
“If Victoria & Goldenballs can do it, so can we.”
Jesse’s last social media post about Fearne was put online on September 3 to celebrate her birthday.
Alongside two photographs of them together, Jesse wrote: “Happy birthday to the one I love.”
Days before their split was confirmed, Fearne told her 3.9 million Instagram followers on December 3 that she was having surgery on two benign tumours on her jaw.
She said: “Hey gang I’m going to be out of action for a bit due to a surgery.
“I felt a lump under my ear on my jawline a while ago now but this year noticed it was growing.
“Turns out it’s a benign tumour and another small one above it on the saliva gland.
“I’m feeling positive about it all and will take the opportunity to rest and slow right down.”
Fearne later confirmed the surgery had gone well and that she was recovering.
She said on December 21: “The human body is incredible.
“In less than three weeks you can barely notice where I had the tumour removed.
“I feel almost normal. My ear is still quite numb and my face a little tender but other than that I’m feeling good.”
TIME LINE OF NEW ROMANCE
DECEMBER 16
Fearne announces split with hubby Jesse
DECEMBER 26
Cheaters TV director ends his marriage
JANUARY
Fearne and TV boss start romance
FEBRUARY 27
New couple go public on night out in London
