Vanessa Feltz’s ex-fiancé Ben Ofoedu in high spirits as he’s seen for the FIRST time since split

Vanessa Feltz’s ex- fiancé Ben Ofoedu was seen for the first time since their shocking split as he attended The ICON Awards in London on Friday. 

The singer, 50, and veteran broadcaster, 60, ended their relationship after 16-years following accusations he had cheated. 

It comes after the woman who Ben reportedly strayed with, exclusively told MailOnline for the first time how she sent a bombshell email to Vanessa, followed by an ‘awkward’ phone call, in which she blew the whistle on Ben’s ‘serial womanising’. 

The Phats and Smalls front man shook off the controversy and beamed for the cameras at Friday’s event in aid of prostate cancer research.

Shielding his eyes behind shades he opted for a trendy aviator jacket which he layered over a black shirt and jeans. 

Ben – who will soon join the cast – also posed with stars of new play Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at the star-studded event.   

The ceremony was held at the Connaught Rooms in the De Vere Grand Hotel, London in aid of prostate cancer charity prost8.org.uk. 

The awards honoured ICONS, namely people who have contributed to music, fashion, entertainment and philanthropy. 

Scores of celebrities and top influencers were in attendance including Anita Dobson who brought along rock legend husband Sir Brian May, Matt Goss, Ben Odoefu, Nick Knowles, model Ellie Goldstein, Sam Fox and Made in Chelsea star Sophie Hermann who hosted the red carpet. 

Ben’s fling told Vanessa she had been ‘hopelessly in love’ with him after a series of steamy encounters in Ibiza and Thailand.

But she insisted that the BBC Radio 2 host deserved to know her partner had tried to seduce at least three other younger women.

The successful businesswoman – who bears a close resemblance to Vanessa – said she initially had no idea that Ben had a long-term partner when her romance with him began, and she broke off the relationship as soon as she found out.

But beachclub owner and restaurateur Ella*, 59, who does not wish to use her real name, described him as ‘an octopus who has no respect for women’ and said she wanted to set the record straight after he ‘peddled lies’ about their year-long fling.

Ex: The singer and veteran broadcaster, 60, ended their relationship after 16-years following accusations he had cheated (pictured together in happier times) 

All smiles: The Phats and Smalls front man shook off the controversy and beamed for the cameras at Friday’s event in aid of prostate cancer research

Smart: Shielding his eyes behind shades he opted for a trendy aviator jacket which he layered over a black shirt and jeans

After the email, Ella and Vanessa had a ‘difficult’ phone conversation during which Vanessa told her that what she and Ofoedu had done was ‘very wrong’. 

In the email, Ella wrote to Vanessa: ‘I was aware of his relationship with you, and I felt very guilty but he pursued me so much I couldn’t resist his charm.

‘I was terrified sending that email,’ said Ella, ‘and even more so when Vanessa called me back. I completely understood her anger at me and I certainly didn’t respond angrily to her, but it was a very awkward conversation.’

Actor: Ben – who will soon join the cast – also posed with stars of new play Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding at the star-studded event

Dapper: Nick Knowles, 60, cut a dapper figure as he arrived with glamorous girlfriend Katie Dadzie,32 

Leggy: Katie flashed a glimpse of her long toned legs in a gold mesh gown (pictured with actor Brad Moore, L)

Suited and booted: Nick sported a bushy beard and donned a dark suit for the swanky evening 

Foxy: Sam Fox, 56, cut a glamorous figure in a sparkling black gown embellished with a jewelled silver bow for the bash at the De Vere Grand Hotel’s Connaught Rooms

Glam: Sam (L) posed alongside actress Vicki Michelle (right)

 

Leggy: Sam (left) flaunted her gorgeous legs thanks to a racy thigh-high split (pictured with a pal)

Stage: the stunner later took to the stage and made a speech 

Despite the revelations about Ofoedu’s behaviour in the email and phone call, Vanessa apparently decided to forgive him.

Earlier this month however, Vanessa announced she had finally dumped Phats and Smalls singer Ben, 50, after a series of other illicit relationships emerged.

Mother-of-one Ella has remained silent for six years, but only decided to speak out after she said Ben insulted her in his toe-curling mea culpa interview last week, in which he described their relationship as ‘purely sexual with no feelings involved’ and — most disparagingly — that sex with her was ‘almost a chore’.

Happy couple: Antia Dobson was joined on the red carpet by her husband Brian May

Winner: The former EastEnders actress was awarded for her incredible acting career

Pose Stunning: She looked sensational in a champagne blouse, black trousers and a look gold train (Anita pictured with her fashion designer)

He even suggested that Ella may have been older than Vanessa.

Ella told MailOnline: ‘I have been painted as a trollop, when in fact I have a successful career and I’m a single mum, who’s worked hard all my life. As for the sex being a “chore”? Up chores, Ben!

‘I’m also six months younger than Vanessa, for what it’s worth.

‘I fell in love with Ben, and he went all out to seduce me, but once I became aware that he was in another relationship, I broke it off. I put myself in Vanessa’s position and asked myself if I would want to know, and I decided it was the right thing to do.

‘I had no agenda, I just wanted to tell her, woman to woman, and then it was up to her.

Glamour puss: Jo wood looked chic in a black frock which she teamed with a tiger printed blazer

Gorgeous: She accentuated her features with make-up and wore her blonde tresses loose 

‘I would never have gone public about this if Ben hadn’t disrespected me once again, by trying to paint me as some kind of sl*t in the papers last week. ‘

‘When I saw Vanessa on TV, and she announced that they’d split, I saw a genuinely broken woman and all the memories came flooding back for me.

‘Then when I read what Ben was saying about me.

‘He is a serial liar, he drinks too much. And he becomes an octopus with women. He is also a vile, lying love rat.’

‘He messed with my life, with my head and my heart. He described our relationship as a three-day romp, but it went on over the space of a year.’

Ella and Ben when she hired him and his band for a gig at her club in Ibiza.

Lovebirds: Matt Goos held hands with glamorous girlfriend Chantal Brown as they later left the ceremony 

Style: Chantal looked gorgeous in a colour blocked gown 

Suave: Matt (right) looked suave in an emerald green suit and printed shirt 

LBD: X Factor star Sam Bailey opted for a black mini dress embellished with tulle and sequins 

Afterwards, they went for a drink with a group of club staff.

Ella recalled: ‘I was heading home and he said to me, ‘Would you like me to walk you home?’

‘Ben comes across as kind, humble, charming, lovely, fun – a great entertainer, so I didn’t think there was anything in it. As we were about to go our separate ways, he said ‘I really like you in that LBD’ and I didn’t know what that was and he had to explain it was a little black dress. I laughed it off as him having a little flirt and said goodnight.

‘But with that, he just grabbed me and started a passionate kiss. I pushed him away and said ‘I’m professional and I don’t mess with anyone working with me.’ He still said ‘Come on, come back to my room.’ I said I was going home and that was that.’

Hot stuff: Musical artist The Grime Violinist looked sensational in a skin-tight metallic gown

Pose! Sophie Hermann (front) post with the cast Of Paul Gregg’s new play Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding

There were three or four gigs that Summer and Ella explained that she had fond memories of Phats and Small’s hit Turnaround from the 1990s.

Ben returned to Ibiza for a second gig a few weeks later, and Ella said: ‘This time he was out to seduce me, he was on my case like a bee around a honeypot.

‘It was great for my ego, and I was single and I had no idea about Vanessa at that stage. He was aiming to make me feel special

‘We went back to his place and that night I fell for his charms. He left the next day and I knew he was coming back the following month.

Stunner: Former Allo Allo actress Vicki showcased her jaw-dropping figure in a black gown complete with sheer panels 

Swanky party: Business man Charlie Mullins pictured with Raquel Reno

‘On the third time he came back we went out on a boat together and he wined and dined me and made me feel special again, and it happened again.’

Privately-educated Ella, who splits her time between Ibiza and Thailand, said she was completely out of touch with most British TV stars and celebrities at the time, but she was in for a shock the next day.

‘I went into my club bar and a customer came said ‘Wow, you’re just like Vanessa!’ I said ‘Who’s Vanessa?’ and she explained it was Ben’s partner Vanessa Feltz. Everything emptied inside of me, I was so angry and hurt that I’d been taken for a fool.

‘I went to Ben and I finished it. I said I know you’re in a relationship and this is over. He was leaving a few hours later and I was pretty upset.’

She returned to England soon afterwards to tend to her mother who was ill in hospital, but Ben continued to text her on WhatsApp, with nice messages and even a clip of him singing happy birthday to her.

Ofoedu claims he’s been booted out of his Vanessa’s £3.5M gothic mansion in leafy St John’s Wood, north London since the revelation from his fling with ‘Ella’

The next contact came the following February when Ella signed Phats and Small for a short tour in Thailand.

She recalled: ‘I said to him that we could continue as mates and work together, but that would be all. The first gig was in Phuket and the night before as I left the group to get a taxi, Ben appeared behind me and grabbed my arm, turning me around. He said ‘You’ve got two ways to go – that way,’ pointing at the taxi ‘or this way,’ pointing at himself.

‘He was so persistent and such a seducer, I thought maybe he’s thought about it and there’s going to be something between him and me because he was so insistent. We then had two wonderful nights in Phuket together in the Hotel Laguna. He was passionate, there was loads of sex, all night long, falling asleep and then at it again. It was non-stop, juicy, loving and hot.’

She then produced a photograph of Ben lying naked on the bed, but refused permission to publish it in any form.

She said: ‘I got completely hooked on Ben, because even apart from the sex, he makes you feel so special and he comes across as such a nice guy. He’s all about the seduction.

Representatives for Vanessa Feltz and Ben Ofoedu were contacted for comment. 

· In return for this exclusive interview, Ella will be making a donation to three charities helping victims of the Turkish earthquake; Cambodian orphans and Ukrainian refugees.