Jump directly to the content
PERFECT MATCHES?

From dancing on tables, downing champagne and spending thousands at the 2006 World Cup – to divorces, affairs and heartbreak now: here’s where Elen Rivas, Vanessa Perroncel and the rest of the 2006 WAGs ended up

The Golden Generation's Golden Girls have gone on to enjoy very mixed fortunes, from Cheryl's recent split to the fallout from the John Terry affair rumours

THE year was 2006: Shakira's Hips Don't Lie had just taken the number one spot and, under the guidance of Sven-Göran Eriksson, England's World Cup squad hoped to do the same in Germany.

With our Golden Generation gunning for glory, all eyes should have been firmly fixed on the ball as England set up camp in the quiet, classy spa town of Baden-Baden.

 2006 was the year of the WAG. Pictured: Vanessa Perroncel, Lisa Roughead, Micheala Henderson-Thynne, Elen Rivas and Carly Zucker
30
2006 was the year of the WAG. Pictured: Vanessa Perroncel, Lisa Roughead, Micheala Henderson-Thynne, Elen Rivas and Carly ZuckerCredit: Rex Features

But the focus soon drifted from the unconvincing performances on the pitch to the champagne-fuelled antics which were playing out off it.

That's right: 2006 was the year of the WAG. It was the tournament where, for the first time, the players' partners had joined them en masse, descending on the remote Black Forest with a pack of paparazzi close behind them.

Victoria, Cheryl, Coleen - it didn't take long before the glamorous characters watching from the stands overshadowed the dour England squad, which crashed out of the tournament with an obligatory penalties defeat at the quarter finals, this time to Portugal.

But as our boys take to the field in another World Cup, and news reaches us of Cheryl breaking things off with Liam Payne, it seems like a good time to look back and ask: what are the other 2006 WAGs up to now?

 The tournament was defined by the girls, including Coleen Rooney and Alex Curran, and their wild partying
30
The tournament was defined by the girls, including Coleen Rooney and Alex Curran, and their wild partyingCredit: Matrix
 Victoria, pictured with Cheryl, was the queen of the WAG pack
30
Victoria, pictured with Cheryl, was the queen of the WAG packCredit: AP:Associated Press

Elen Rivas

What happened then: Then in a relationship with Frank Lampard, Elen made waves at the 2006 World Cup for belting out a rendition of "I will survive" while stood on a table in her heels at a local club.

What happened next: Elen had a child with Frank before the World Cup, and they went on to have another. But there was trouble ahead.

 Elen Rivas was known for her raucous singing while she was staying in Baden-Baden
30
Elen Rivas was known for her raucous singing while she was staying in Baden-BadenCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Elen Rives shakes her pom poms

After a long engagement and no wedding, Elen and Frank split unexpectedly in 2009.

To rub salt in the wound, Frank went on to marry lookalike Christine Bleakley in 2015, and wasted no time in tying the knot after the couple got close.

Meanwhile, Elen hooked up with Peter Andre, but their five-month romance proved to be short-lived.

 

 Elen Rivas broke things off with Frank, but later claimed she still loved him
30
Elen Rivas broke things off with Frank, but later claimed she still loved himCredit: Getty - Contributor

Vanessa Perroncel

What happened then: Vanessa was pregnant with Wayne Bridge's son so she didn't join the heavy drinking sessions the WAG pack became known for... but she went on to later steal headlines for other reasons.

What happened next: Shortly after splitting from Wayne in 2009, Vanessa was accused of having a four-month affair with Wayne's teammate John Terry.

 Vanessa had no idea how much drama was ahead of her when she flew to Germany with Wayne Bridge
30
Vanessa had no idea how much drama was ahead of her when she flew to Germany with Wayne BridgeCredit: Getty Images - Getty

She denied the claims and John tried to take out a gagging order against the press.

The allegations drove a wedge between John and Wayne, who withdrew from the England squad to avoid him and refused to shake his hand when they met on the pitch.

There were then claims that the model, now 40, went on to date Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini for a while.

 Pictured with Carly Zucker, Vanessa would go on to find herself at the heart of an alleged affair scandal
30
Pictured with Carly Zucker, Vanessa would go on to find herself at the heart of an alleged affair scandalCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Vanessa put the John Terry situation behind her to date Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini
30
Vanessa put the John Terry situation behind her to date Jean-Bernard Fernandez-VersiniCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Abbey Clancy

What happened then: Abbey was in Germany to cheer on boyfriend Peter Crouch, but she ended up distracting from the lanky striker when two-year-old photos emerged during the tournament showing her snorting coke.

It caused enough of a storm to get her a seat on an early flight back to England.

 A storm over some cocaine photos earned Abbey an early flight back home
30
A storm over some cocaine photos earned Abbey an early flight back homeCredit: Rex Features

What happened next: Peter kicked Abbey to the curb after the cocaine photo scandal, and she pressed ahead with her modelling career.

However, the pair ended up reuniting soon after, tying the knot in 2011 and having three children together.

Abbey, 32, also won Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, and she now works as a presenter on Britain's Next Top Model.

Abbey Clancy gets 40 points with her waltz on Strictly Come Dancing
 The presenter and model got back with Peter Crouch when the drug scandal died down
30
The presenter and model got back with Peter Crouch when the drug scandal died downCredit: Rex Features

Alex Gerrard

What happened then: Then a mum-of-two, Alex Curran left Germany with a £25,231 hotel bill which reportedly included 60 bottles of pink champagne at £75 a pop.

Alongsde Coleen, Elen and Carly, Alex earned a reputation as one of the WAG pack's big party girls.

 Alex Curran already had two kids with Steven Gerrard by the 2006 World Cup
30
Alex Curran already had two kids with Steven Gerrard by the 2006 World CupCredit: PA:Press Association
 Big spending Alex added a few hundred quid to her hotel bill with her champagne drinking
30
Big spending Alex added a few hundred quid to her hotel bill with her champagne drinkingCredit: PA:Press Association

What happened next: Alex married Steven in 2007, and the pair had two more children together. Now 35, she has worked as a designer, model and fashion writer.

When Steven signed for LA Galaxy in 2015, the pair did a Becks and moved out to LA, but they're now heading back to Britain after Steven accepted the management job at Scottish club Rangers.

 Alex moved out to LA with Steven when he moved to the MLS
30
Alex moved out to LA with Steven when he moved to the MLSCredit: Getty - Contributor

Carly Zucker

What happened then: Carly rocked up to Germany on the arm of Joe Cole, and she became best known for taking her crop-top jogs past the paparazzi every morning.

What happened next: The fame-hungry model, now 34, married Joe in 2009 and went on to have three kids with him. She appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2008, before moving out to Florida, where Joe currently plays.

 Carly Zucker became known for her early morning jogs while she was staying in Baden-Baden
30
Carly Zucker became known for her early morning jogs while she was staying in Baden-BadenCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Toni Poole

What happened then: Toni had given birth to John Terry's twins a month before she flew out to Germany, so she probably wasn't in the mood for endless partying when she got to Baden-Baden.

What happened next: John and Toni got hitched in 2007, and the glam mum, now 36, stuck by him throughout the Vanessa Perroncel allegations.

 When Toni joined the other WAGs in Germany, she already had one kid with John Terry
30
When Toni joined the other WAGs in Germany, she already had one kid with John TerryCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Toni and John are still together, despite the heartbreak surrounding his alleged affair
30
Toni and John are still together, despite the heartbreak surrounding his alleged affairCredit: Getty - Contributor

Melanie Slade

What happened then: Melanie was still studying for her GCSEs when boyfriend Theo Walcott was called up to the England squad, so she was closer to the fringes of the WAG pack and avoided staying out too late past her bedtime.

What happened next: The childhood sweethearts, who are often compared to Wayne and Coleen Rooney, got married in 2013 and went on to have two kids together.

However, Melanie proved she is still down to Earth when she turned down the "too flash" £140,000 Ferrari Theo gave her as a present for her 21st birthday.

Melanie works as a fashion writer, but you might recognise her from a cameo role in Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part One.

 Melanie Slade had only just finished her GCSEs when her boyfriend was called up to the England squad
30
Melanie Slade had only just finished her GCSEs when her boyfriend was called up to the England squadCredit: Getty Images - Getty
30

The stunning WAG now works as a fashion writer and has even made a cameo in a Harry Potter film

Lisa Roughead

What happened then: Lisa, a Pilates instructor, flew to Germany with Michael Carrick, who she had been dating since they were at school together.

What happened next: The pair got hitched in 2007 - on the same day as Toni Poole and Alex Curran, causing a massive headache for the WAGs who had to decide which wedding to go to. They have two kids, a daughter and a son, together.

 Lisa caused a massive headache for her WAG friends by getting married on the same day as other England stars
30
Lisa caused a massive headache for her WAG friends by getting married on the same day as other England starsCredit: Getty - Contributor

Victoria Beckham

What happened then: In 2006, Queen Victoria was the ultimate WAG, and it was claimed that she took 60 pairs of sunglasses with her to Germany, along with 30 pairs of jeans.

What happened next: A year later, Posh reprised her role in the Spice Girls - embarking on a reunion tour with the rest of the squad. More recently, she's been forced to shrug off false rumours that her and David were set for a divorce.

 Cheryl stuck close to Victoria as England worked through a series of dour group fixtures
30
Cheryl stuck close to Victoria as England worked through a series of dour group fixturesCredit: Collect

She launched her own fashion label in 2008 and is now best known for her work as a designer. It's estimated that the Beckhams are worth in excess of £500m.

Posh had three kids, Brookyln, Romeo and Cruz, at the time of the Germany World Cup, and she's since had a fourth, Harper.

David Beckham throws a bag of dog poo at wife Victoria
 In many ways, Victoria and the other WAGs delivered a more memorable performance than their partners
30
In many ways, Victoria and the other WAGs delivered a more memorable performance than their partnersCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Today, mum-of-four Victoria is an undisputed fashion icon
30
Today, mum-of-four Victoria is an undisputed fashion iconCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Victoria, pictured with friends and Coleen Rooney, centre, often led the WAGs into battle
30
Victoria, pictured with friends and Coleen Rooney, centre, often led the WAGs into battleCredit: Associated Newspapers

Cheryl

What happened then: Cheryl, then engaged to Ashley Cole, stuck close to Victoria at the 2006 World Cup, and was often snapped next to her as the England entourage flocked between Baden-Baden's clubs, bars and boutiques.

What happened next: Cheryl, now 35, broke off her marriage to Ashley Cole in 2010, after he admitted cheating on her.

She said that his infidelity left her feeling "numb", and drove her to take an STI test. She added that she needed medical help to recover from the shock, and said she struggled to eat or sleep at first.

 Cheryl was in Baden-Baden as the partner of Ashley Cole
30
Cheryl was in Baden-Baden as the partner of Ashley ColeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Cheryl and Victoria struck up a close friendship as they supported the England squad
30
Cheryl and Victoria struck up a close friendship as they supported the England squadCredit: Rex Features

Since 2006, Cheryl has also launched a successful solo career, judged on the X Factor, become the face of Olay and earned a personal fortune in excess of £20m.

In 2014, she married restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, but divorced after less than a year.

Next up was One Direction's Liam Payne, who she has a year-old son, Bear, with. But after two years together, the pair just announced that they have split.

Music video for Call My Name by Cheryl Cole
 Cheryl has recently split from Liam Payne, the father of her son, Bear
30
Cheryl has recently split from Liam Payne, the father of her son, BearCredit: Getty - Contributor
Cheryl and Liam Payne split after two-and-a-half-years but vow to remain close to raise their son Bear together

Coleen Rooney

What happened then: Back in 2006, it was rumoured that Coleen McLoughlin had brought a tanning consultant with her to Baden-Baden, where she was cheering on her boyfriend and childhood sweetheart Wayne Rooney.

The WAG pack were big spenders at the local boutiques and jewellers, and they reportedly racked up a collective bill of £57,000 in one hour of shopping.

When she was cornered on her way back to the hotel, Coleen dismissed her haul as just a few "bits and pieces" - earning her criticism from the WAG-bashing European press.

 Coleen went to Germany to cheer on her childhood sweetheart, Wayne
30
Coleen went to Germany to cheer on her childhood sweetheart, WayneCredit: Getty Images - Getty

What happened next: Since 2006, Coleen has had to put up with her husband cheating on her with prostitutes Helen Wood and Jenny Tompson. He was also charged with drink driving last year after being caught over the limit in a car with party girl Laura Simpson.

The WAG was pregnant at the time, and rumours swirled that she was thinking about a divorce and she was snapped without her ring. In the end, she decided to stick it out, claiming that Wayne is a "brilliant dad".

Coleen and Wayne tied the knot in 2008, welcoming their first son, Kai, in 2009. She has since had three more sons, Klay, Kit and Cass, who was born back in February.

Wayne Rooney confirms wife Coleen and their boys WILL move to Washington as he begins career with DC United
 Coleen has moved on from Wayne's cheating, and is still with her husband
30
Coleen has moved on from Wayne's cheating, and is still with her husbandCredit: Getty - Contributor

Nancy Dell'Olio

What happened then: You know the WAGs are having a field day when the gaffer's wife joins the party, and Nancy Dell'Olio flew out to Germany as the girlfriend of manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.

While in Baden-Baden, the lawyer kept up with the younger WAGs, joining them for their champagne dinners and nights out in the town.

 Nancy Dell'Olio arrived in Germany as the partner of England gaffer Sven
30
Nancy Dell'Olio arrived in Germany as the partner of England gaffer SvenCredit: Getty - Contributor
 She's since moved on to younger men, claiming older blokes lack 'va va voom' in the bedroom
30
She's since moved on to younger men, claiming older blokes lack 'va va voom' in the bedroomCredit: Getty Images - Getty

What happened next: Sven had already had reported affairs with Ulrika Jonsson and FA secretary Faria Alam before the World Cup, but Nancy chose to stay with him regardless.

The pair broke up in 2007, and Nancy struck up a relationship with theatre director Sir Trevor Nunn.

She appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011 and Celebrity Big Brother and 2016, when she was the second contestant to be kicked out.

Now 56, Nancy's latest fella is a 33-year-old Italian socialite called Flavio Nappi. Poking a sly dig at Sven, Nancy has claimed that older men "lack a certain va va voom in the bedroom."

Nancy Dell'Olio becomes the second celeb to get the boot from the CBB