Ben Ofoedu makes extraordinary swipe at ex Vanessa Feltz in his wedding speech after tying the knot with new wife ‘Vanessa 2.0’ in lavish £100k ceremony

Ben Ofoedu made an extraordinary reference to ex Vanessa Feltz as he married his new bride, who he affectionately calls ‘Vanessa 2.0’, earlier this week. 

The Phats & Small singer, 52, was previously set to marry the TV personality, 63, until reports of his infidelity were leaked to the press in 2023.

He has since moved on with aesthetics expert Vanessa Brown, who is 23 years his junior, marrying in a lavish £100,000 ceremony in Cumbria. 

However, despite his romance with Celebrity Big Brother star Vanessa ending two years ago, Ben made a savage dig at his ex, claiming he’d ‘wasted 17 years’ in their relationship.

In an exclusive Mail+ interview, Ben reflected on his relationship with the former This Morning agony aunt, stating: ‘Never again will I do that. I wasted 17 years of my life.

‘I don’t believe in long engagements any more. You don’t want to get married if there’s a question mark over your engagement.

The singer has moved on with aesthetics expert Vanessa Brown, who is 23 years his junior, marrying in a lavish £100,000 ceremony in Cumbria.

Despite his romance with Celebrity Big Brother star Vanessa ending two years ago, Ben made a savage dig at his ex, claiming he’d ‘wasted 17 years’ in their relationship [Ben and Vanessa in 2021]

‘If you don’t want to commit to someone, that’s fine. But don’t pretend you do and hold on to someone for a long period of time. Let them free, let them fly.’

Speaking of his joy at finally becoming a husband, Ben shared: ‘I have been waiting for this feeling, I have always wanted to be married since I was seven years old. I always wanted to be with someone who would take my surname.

‘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. It feels like I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life. This is the finale of the chapter that was 17 years of my life.’

After undergoing therapy in the wake of their split, the DJ – who refuses to mention Feltz by name ‘ever again’ – said the torrid experience gave him clarity.

‘I knew what I was getting into going out with someone that talks about their sex life on TV. What did I expect? It was great media attention for her. I went into it with my eyes wide open thinking it wouldn’t affect me, but it did.’

As he surveyed the crowd of loved ones, Ofoedu reflected that the most valuable outcome of his break-up with Feltz was ‘finding out who my real friends are’.

He said: ‘I thought I was friends with everyone but people acted differently towards me [after the break up]. At the time it hurt me but it turned out to be great because it showed me who actually had my back – every member of Boyzone and a couple of boys from Blu who couldn’t be here.

In an exclusive Mail+ interview, Ben reflected on his relationship with the former This Morning agony aunt, stating: ‘Never again will I do that. I wasted 17 years of my life [pictured in 2022]

‘If you don’t want to commit to someone, that’s fine. But don’t pretend you do and hold on to someone for a long period of time. Let them free, let them fly’

‘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’ [pictured with his new bride]

‘But I know she [Vanessa Feltz] will look at these pictures today and see that everyone here knows the truth about our relationship and the narrative she spun.

‘This love with Vanessa [Brown] has made me realise that the other one didn’t love me as much as she made out, we had two different definitions of love.’

Insisting he didn’t want to make his special day about the ‘past’, Ofoedu added: ‘All of that was worth it and everything happens for a reason because I’ve found my perfect person.

‘The main thing now [is] it’s ended happily ever after for me – getting married in a beautiful castle in Carlisle and I’m happy.

‘Vanessa is the woman of my dreams, our connection was instant and when I found out she was dreaming of a beautiful white wedding fit for a princess, I thought, ‘Ben, it’s time to get your Prince Charming boots on and be the fairytale prince she’s always dreamed of’.

‘As I look back at our beautiful romance it has confirmed my belief that true love is waiting around the corner – you just have to keep the faith.’

Bride Vanessa echoed the sentiment, beaming as she recalled how their connection had been ‘instant’, adding: ‘It was like everything suddenly made sense. When you know, you know.’

She revealed the couple hope to start a family within the next year and are planning a business venture together.

After undergoing therapy in the wake of their split, the DJ – who refuses to mention Feltz by name ‘ever again’ – said the torrid experience gave him clarity [pictured in 2021]

‘But I know she [Vanessa Feltz] will look at these pictures today and see that everyone here knows the truth about our relationship and the narrative she spun’

Bride Vanessa said of Ben’s ex: ‘To be honest I don’t care whatsoever, I couldn’t care less about her. She is his ex – I have exes – and they’re in the past’

The couple’s wedding took place at the breathtaking medieval Rose Castle near Carlisle

 Guests including Boyzone stars Keith Duffy (third from left) toasted the newlyweds with filled-to-the-brim flutes of £33-a-bottle Jean-Noel Heritage Champagne

As the festivities continued into the early hours, guests were invited to stay the night in the 43-bedroom castle. They included Bradley McIntosh from S Club (front left), Shane Lynch (second from right) and singer Dane Bowers (right)

Though the new bride didn’t shy away from referencing her husband’s former relationship, she dismissed the negativity surrounding it.

She said: ‘When it comes to his last relationship, a lot of it is spiteful and untrue.

‘I’m the right person for him. Their relationship ended for reasons the public weren’t aware of. Everyone always says they have never seen Ben as happy as he is now.

‘That’s a testament to where he is in his life. He’s completely fulfilled when previously he wasn’t.

‘To be honest I don’t care whatsoever, I couldn’t care less about her. She is his ex – I have exes – and they’re in the past.

‘Why would you care?’ Brown adds, talking about Feltz. ‘Enjoy your retirement, your family and just chill. Stop talking about it, it’s so tragic!

‘Part of me feels sorry for her but it’s my life and I don’t care.’