Fearne Cotton is no stranger to reinvention. Whether it’s her career, personal life, or wellness journey, she’s always been one to embrace change. But her latest chapter has taken many by surprise. After ten years of marriage to Jesse Wood, the daughter-in-law of rock legend Ronnie Wood announced their split just 11 weeks ago. While their marriage had reportedly been facing difficulties for years, the news still sent ripples through their circles.
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The timing couldn’t have been worse. Just days before making her separation public, Fearne revealed she had been dealing with a health scare, discovering multiple tumours on her jawline. Yet, despite the emotional whirlwind of the last few months, Fearne appears to be stepping into a new phase of her life—one that includes TV director Elliot Hegarty. The pair were recently spotted enjoying a night out in Soho, where they were seen laughing, holding hands, and sharing a kiss, marking the start of her post-divorce romance.
Fearne Cotton and Elliot Hegarty’s spotted kissing - what is going on?
Fearne Cotton has wasted no time in moving on following her recent split from Jesse Wood. The TV and radio presenter, 43, was spotted sharing a passionate kiss with TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53, during a night out in London’s Soho. The pair were seen embracing and holding hands on Charlotte Street, joined by Cotton’s longtime friend, Gok Wan.
Their blossoming romance has reportedly been going on since January, with sources suggesting that their friendship turned into something more once their respective marriages ended. 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.
Sources claim that while the split with Jesse was difficult for Fearne, she is now embracing happiness again. A source shared:
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.
According to The Sun, Elliot officially ended his marriage to wife Laura on Boxing Day, just ten days after Fearne announced the breakdown of her marriage to Jesse.
Who is Elliot Hegarty?
Elliot Hegarty is no stranger to the entertainment industry. The twice BAFTA-nominated director has built an impressive career, with credits including Ted Lasso, Bad Education, and BBC series Cheaters. Most recently, he worked as lead director and executive producer on Disney+’s hit series Rivals.
Originally from the UK, Elliot studied politics at Nottingham University before pivoting to film, attending NYU Film School and the London Film School.
His directing credits span major networks and streamers, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, AMC, and Warner Bros. In the UK, he directed Bad Education, Netflix’s Lovesick, and FM. In the US, he’s helmed over 35 episodes of network TV, including Black-ish, The Middle, and Suburgatory.
Hegarty directed The Bad Education Movie (2015), the year’s top-grossing British comedy. From 2017 to 2019, he worked with David Walliams on four TV movies, including Grandpa’s Great Escape and The Midnight Gang. His work on Ted Lasso contributed to its seven Emmy wins in 2021.
Despite his professional success, he was rarely in the spotlight. Not even his personal life was reported on. He was previously married to Laura, with whom he shares three children—son Alfie, 16, and daughters Matilda, 14, and Sophie, 10.
How have Fearne and Elliot’s exes reacted?
Now all eyes are on him because of his blossoming romance with Fearne Cotton. So, how has his wife reacted to the news?
According to The Mirror, Laura was reportedly unaware that Elliot had moved on until she saw the photos of him kissing Fearne.
A friend of Laura’s shared that she’s ‘shocked’ and ‘devastated’ by the split and added:
She's already going through a difficult time, and this has just added to her heartbreak. It wasn't an easy split because there are also children involved. These pictures have not helped matters.
They've tried to keep good relations for the sake of the kids, but I fear that things could now get a bit awkward between them.
Another source told MailOnline:
It's an awful way for her to find out and it has been quite ghastly for her.
Meanwhile, Fearne’s ex Jesse is understood to have known about their romance and has yet not taken the kissing snaps lightly. A source said:
Jesse was so upset when they split. He knew Fearne had started a relationship with Elliot and that has been tough.
But to see them kissing in the street and laughing with her friends is a bitter pill to swallow. He was married to Fearne for ten years and he loved every inch of her.
According to The Sun, Jesse’s family and friends have been rallying around him for support. A friend revealed:
Jesse is a quiet man who keeps himself to himself. His family, notably his brothers and his sister, have been a huge support to him.
Both Jesse and Laura are reportedly focusing on their children as they navigate their breakup.
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Sources used:
Daily Mail: Fearne Cotton passionately kisses TV director Elliot Hegarty 11 weeks after revealing marriage split
Mirror: Wife of Fearne Cotton’s new boyfriend ‘discovered he’s moved on after seeing kiss snaps’
The Sun: Wife of Fearne Cotton’s boyfriend ‘shocked and devastated’ after finding out he’s dating TV star just weeks after split
