As Vanessa Feltz and Ben Ofoedu sadly split, we look back at their OK! shoot when they talked first meeting

Vanessa Feltz has announced her split from fiancé Ben Ofoedu after 16 years together, revealing she feels "disappointed" and "extremely sad" to see the relationship come to an end.

The This Morning star, 60, and musician Ben, 50, first locked eyes over the chocolate fountain at the OK! Christmas party in 2005, no less, and their whirlwind romance saw them get engaged after just one year of dating.

"We met through Keith Duffy of Boyzone – your great chum," Vanessa previously recalled in a joint interview with Ben for OK! in 2022.

"He was in the very first Celebrity Big Brother and so was I way back in 2001. And he said to you you'd really like to meet me and he said to me that I'd really like to meet you, but we were both in relationships at the time."

In 2005, the moment for the pair to meet finally came and they hit it off from the get go.

"We didn't see each other or go out with each other or make any contact with each other whatsoever, until a few years later at the OK! Christmas party [in 2005], where I was standing at my spiritual home, which is right next to the chocolate fountain," mum-of-two Vanessa, who shares daughters Allegra and Saskia with ex-husband Michael Kurer, explained.

Ben admitted he was "slightly intimidated" by TV star Vanessa when he first met her, but was instantly impressed by her quick wit and cheekiness.

"My first impression of you Feltzy was cheeky, very very cheeky and very very quick-witted," he said.

Ben added: "Apart from being beautiful and me actually fancying you, I just thought, 'Wow, I've got to stay on my toes here!' because you had an answer for absolutely everything. I think [I was] slightly intimidated, because I knew you were so quick-witted."

Ben popped the question to Vanessa in 2006 and she accepted, with the pair originally planning to tie the knot the following year.

They never made it down the aisle, with Vanessa admitting her divorce from her doctor ex-husband Michael 22 years ago made her "wary of getting married again."

Recalling the heartbreaking breakdown of her first marriage, Vanessa told OK!: "It absolutely derailed me to the most terrific extent.

"I was so shocked and broken-hearted and rocked to my absolute core. It makes you wary of getting married again. The marriage seemed to be so disposable – it could just be chucked down the toilet in 10 seconds flat, even though I didn’t want it to be and I didn’t realise there was any trouble with it or problems.

"So it made me feel a bit damaged and reluctant to ever do it again."

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She was happy just being engaged to Ben, who also seemed to share the same view.

Vanessa previously told OK!: "We think it’s OK the way it is. I do think “never say never”, but I certainly haven’t made any plans for a wedding and I think we’re quite happy this way."

50 year old Ben added: "It’s an odd thing. I think, 'If it ain’t broke don’t fix it'. I’m not saying we’ll be engaged for eternity, but whatever we’re doing seems to be working.

"There’s a beauty to being engaged – you’re not quite married so you still make an effort."

Vanessa took to Instagram on 5 February to confirm she and Ben had parted ways after 16 years together, with the star sharing a video message for her fans.

"Well I haven't been on Instagram for three weeks and that's because my relationship with Ben is over after 16 years," the 60 year old began.

"I honestly didn't know what to say on Instagram but now it's clear that it's over and I really do feel that once the trust in a relationship is gone, you can't really get it back.

"And so I just wanted to say that obviously I feel incredibly sad and I am pretty disappointed and shocked and all those horrible things but also full of resolve. I am not going to let this defeat me."

Vanessa went on: "I'm so glad to be living longer than my mum did. She died at 57 and, if the Lord spares me, I'm going to be 61 next month. So, I'm very, very grateful to be alive and I want to carry on feeling that way and I want to celebrate.

"I want to find fun and laughter anywhere I can and I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm absolutely determined to do it."

The star further thanked people for their messages of support and shared her appreciation. Ben is yet to publicly address the split.

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