Rebekah Vardy has slammed the term WAG, insisting a footballer’s wife isn’t defined by what their husbands do.
The wife of footballer Jamie has revealed she hates the term coined during the legendary 2006 World Cup which saw the likes of Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney and Cheryl Cole score as many column inches as their footballer husbands.
Rebekah though says times have changed, as she talks about her 2018 World Cup experience so far in a new interview with Grazia magazine.
Hitting back: Rebekah Vardy has slammed the term WAG, insisting a footballer’s wife isn’t defined by what their husbands do
In a trip estimated to cost £150,000, Rebekah has taken three-year-old Sofia and Finley, 17 months, the children she shares with Jamies, as well as her two children from her previous relationships, Megan, 13, and Taylor, eight, to Russia to support her husband.
While she is commonly referred to as a WAG, Becky insists: ‘WAG is a dated term because we’re not defined by what our husbands do. We’re individuals.’
The I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star explains that she doesn’t let Jamie get away with slacking in his dad duties, even during the World Cup, quipping: ‘Jamie’s brilliant at changing nappies. He probably does it more than me at the minute.’
The Vardy clan: Becky raises children Sofia, three, Finley, one, with Jamie, and has children Megan, 11, and Taylor, six, from a previous relationship, while Jamie is also a father to Ella, six, with his ex Emma Daggett
Cheering him on: While she is commonly referred to as a WAG, Becky insists: ‘WAG is a dated term because we’re not defined by what our husbands do. We’re individuals’
But there’s one aspect of normal life Becky is finding difficult to maintain while in Russia, as she jokes she and her husband face a ‘logistical nightmare’ if they want to get intimate.
While there’s no sex ban for players, as there was in 2006, Becky says the fact she and her children are staying in a St Petersburg hotel a two-and-a half-hour flight from the England base camp in Volgograd and their children being around, means ‘we’ll struggle to do it anyway with four kids in tow!’
This week Becky has been defending her decision to take her children out of school to see Jamie play, going as far as to share a picture of son Taylor’s English textbook on her Instagram stories, to prove her kids are keeping up with their studies.
Congrats: Becky showered her husband in kisses after England’s 6-1 victory over Panama on Sunday afternoon
She tells Grazia: ‘it’s not like I’m taking them to lie on a beach’.
The star told Loose Women ahead of the 12-day trip: ”I’ve got the school’s blessing to do so… I’ve got extra security, I’m taking my kids. You can’t take any risks when children are involved. It’s for my peace of mind really. I couldn’t not go, I can’t not support my husband.’
Unsurprisingly, her admission riled up a number of viewers about the always hotly-contested issue.
One person raged: ‘How is it fair that “wags” can take their children out of school to visit their footballer dads, with the schools blessing but service men and women’s children’s can’t!! Plus if a “normal” family take children out during term time we get fined!!!! @RebekahVardy @loosewomen’.
Another vented: ‘The school gave their blessing for Becky Vardy to take her kids out of school. They usualy try to fine any other poor sod that tries that during term time! #Loosewomen’.
This week’s Grazia is on sale now.
Family trip: This week Becky has been defending her decision to take her children out of school to see Jamie play