Vanessa Feltz has revealed she had a secret relationship last year that she kept out of the spotlight.

The presenter, 63, dated former Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu, 52, for 16 years, until reports of Ben’s infidelity were leaked to the press in 2023. 

It was thought she had been single since then but the star has now revealed she had a clandestine five-month romance last year.

She told Entertainment Daily: ‘I was going out with someone last year that nobody found out about, that was quite good for about four and a half to five months – but with the exception of that, I’ve been on my own the whole time since and before.’

Vanessa admitted she doesn’t enjoy being single and wishes she could be more like her friend and Loose Women panellist Linda Robson who loves the single life.

She said: ‘I’m not happy being single, I don’t like it. I’d like to be like my pal, Linda Robson, she’s like: ”I know I don’t need a man. I’m not interested. They’re in much more trouble than they’re worth”.’ 

Vanessa Feltz has revealed she had a secret relationship last year that she kept out of the spotlight

The presenter, 63, dated former Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu , 52, for 16 years, until reports of Ben’s infidelity were leaked to the press in 2023 (pictured together in 2021)

‘I think it’s absolutely great to feel like that. But unfortunately, I don’t. I wish I did,’ she added.

Vanessa’s ex Ben, 52, announced in February that he has got engaged to his new girlfriend Vanessa Brown, 29, after just one month of dating.

He popped the question during a holiday in New York, dropping to one knee in Central Park in a surprise proposal just before Valentine’s Day. 

Prior to her relationship with Ben, Vanessa was married to ex-husband Michael from 1983 until they divorced in 2000. They share daughters Allegra, 38, and Saskia, 35. 

Earlier this month, Vanessa admitted that she ‘feels less whole’ without a husband as she discussed her previous marriage to Michael.

Discussing the importance of relationships with Lizzie Cundy and Mike Parry on the first episode of their new podcast, Loving and Living, the broadcaster reflected on being ‘scared’ to leave the wrong people. 

Vanessa explained: ‘If it’s the right partner, boyfriend, someone you can trust then your life will be enhanced with that relationship. So do I prefer a relationship, yes.’

She continued: ‘But life has taught me the hard way that a relationship with the wrong person… it is possible to feel lonelier than you would be on your own. 

Vanessa’s ex Ben, 52, announced in February he has got engaged to his new girlfriend Vanessa Brown, 29, after just one month of dating

Vanessa said: I was going out with someone last year that nobody found out about. That was quite good for about four and a half to five months’

‘You think gosh what if I meet someone worse, or never meet anyone again. A lot of people are scared to leave relationships and I have been that person 

‘What’s interesting about taking a cheat back is for about ten seconds they are terribly sorry and then ten second later, they are back in, and they’ve forgotten. 

‘The trust is sH๏τ to tell and one person is bristling with fury. All of it is not much cop. Do I believe people should get second chances yes, but do I think a leopard changes its spots? Probably not. 

‘You just wish that if someone didn’t want to be with you, they would just end it.’ 

Admitting that she missed being married, Vanessa added: ‘I like someone to love and I like someone to love me. Without that I feel less whole and less content. I like having somebody who is part of your team.

‘I was extremely happy in my marriage and I didn’t realise anything was wrong until one day he announced in a sort of Dalek voice, “I do not rule out the possibility of a divorce” just like that. 

‘I was peeling potatoes and his mum was coming over for lunch. He left within a few weeks and I just didn’t know why.’

Explaining how the truth was revealed, Vanessa continued: ‘But, Pierce Morgan heard the news my husband had left and he just though “that sounds really weird” so he got a journalist to follow him and that’s how I found out he was having an affair.’ 

Prior to her relationship with Ben, Vanessa was married to ex-husband Michael from 1983 until they divorced in 2000 (pictured with Michael in 1999)

It’s not the first time Vanessa opened up about her personal experience with infidelity, sharing that she ‘famously’ took back a cheat and ‘it was a hell of a mistake’. 

Read MoreBREAKING NEWS Vanessa Feltz’s ex Ben Ofoedu, 52, engaged to new girlfriend, 29, after a MONTH of dating

Speaking on her Youtube channel, she said: ‘I’m somebody who famously did take back a cheat. That was in 2017.’ 

The mother-of two went on to disclose that she only found out about her then-partner’s infidelity after the ‘object of dalliance’ informed her workplace bosses before she even knew.

‘It was a really horrible cheating thing that got exposed at my work and so my bosses knew that I had been cheated on before I did. 

‘This is because the object of dalliance or whatever the hell was going on, the object of frenzied shagging, told my bosses. So that’s how I found out.’

She recounted the moment her partner begged for forgiveness: ‘Anyway the cheat begged to be forgiven, knelt on the kitchen floor, would you believe it if I told you, clutching a Bible, copy of the New Testament, you may not believe me, but I ᴀssure you it’s true. 

‘And just said it was a terrible mistake, it was a dreadful accident, just didn’t know what had come over him etcetera etcetera. Please, please, please take him back. And so I did.’