Since bursting onto the scene in the 90s as a kids TV presenter, Fearne Cotton, 43, has held down just about every TV and radio gig imaginable.
But it’s not just her 28-year career that’s garnered attention – her love life has provoked interest too. Even more so lately, after it was revealed she is in a new relationship with TV executive Elliot Hegarty, 53, just weeks after her marriage ended.
For a while, Fearne’s love life mostly dwindled out of public interest after she tied-the-knot with musician Jesse Wood, son of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, back in 2014.
But just after celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary, the couple announced that they’d called it quits via an Instagram announcement in December last year.
Fearne was pictured kissing TV boss Elliot (who has worked on BBC romcom Cheaters, and Disney+ hit Rivals) during a night out on February 27 – just 11 weeks after her marriage ended.
The Sun understands that Elliot ended his marriage to his wife Laura, mum of his three children, 10 days later on Boxing Day.
The public display of affection in London’s bustling Soho district came as friends revealed they have been quietly dating since January.
Elliot’s wife Laura is said to be “devastated” after finding out he’s dating TV star Fearne, according to reports.
A source told MailOnline: “She’s already going through a difficult time, and this has just added to her heartbreak.
“It wasn’t an easy split because there are also children involved. They’ve tried to keep good relations for the sake of the kids, but I fear that things could now get a bit awkward between them.”
Friends of the former couple, who tied the knot in 2014, described them as living a “comfortable and beautiful life” in the country and were surprised by the split.
This isn’t the first time mum-of-two Fearne has had to navigate her love life in view of the public.
Here, Fabulous takes a look at her relationship history…
First Ladies Man
Many said it was doomed from the start when Fearne started dating Welsh hunk Steve Jones in 2008.
The This Morning presenter already had a reputation as a ladies man when he met Fearne, having seduced A-listers including Pamela Anderson, Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry.
Things kicked off well as the pair were spotted enjoying cosy dates together, with Steve even picking Fearne up from her Radio 1 DJ gig and reportedly even introducing her to his family.
But the fling only lasted three months as Fearne wanted more out of the relationship than Steve could, or was willing to give.
A source told the Mirror at the time of their split: “Steve isn’t ready to settle down and commit to just one lady.
“While Fearne had only recently come out of a long-term relationship when they met, and didn’t want to rush into anything serious either.
“Neither party has any regrets, as it was great while it lasted.
“They had a lot of fun but if Fearne is going to be with someone there has got to be more to it than this.”
Disgraced Paedophile ‘Ex’
In 2005, Fearne was rumoured to be dating Ian Watkins of the band Lostprophets, who was later jailed in 2013 for a string of sickening child sex offences.
The disgraced Welsh rocker is currently serving a prison sentence after a shocking trial for 13 offences against children, including the attempted rape of a baby.
Little is known about their relationship and Fearne has never publicly commented on it, but the pair were spotting arm in arm while enjoying a night out together before Ian’s downfall.
The presenter later faced backlash after using the so-called catchphrase of Ian Watkins in a jingle on her Radio One show.
However, the BBC went on to defend it as “a commonly used colloquialism among young people.”
Child-protection campaigner Dr Sara Payne said the use of the phrase was “distressing”.
She told The Sun: “It will be highly distressing for anyone preyed upon by Watkins to hear these words used light-heartedly on morning radio.
“After what happened with the Jimmy Saville scandal, the BBC should know better.”
Skater Boy Fiancé
Fearne found love with another Jesse before her husband.
The former Top of the Pops presenter got together with skateboarder Jesse Jenkins in November 2008, and the pair eventually got engaged in September 2010.
However, it was not meant to be as they eventually called it quits in April 2011, which Fearne confessed was her “rock bottom moment”.
Just months later, she met her future hubby.
Husband of 10 years
In 2011, Fearne started dating musician Jesse Wood, who would later go on to be her husband.
His accolades include being a former member of Reef, who are known for hits like Place Your Hands.
After splitting from his wife of eight years, Jesse treated Fearne to a date that reportedly consisted of a meal of just vodka and cigarettes.
“So he turned up at my house with a plastic bag with a bottle of vodka in and we drank that and we did not eat a thing,” Fearne revealed on Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast in 2021.
Jesse turned up at my house with a plastic bag with a bottle of vodka in and we drank that and we did not eat a thing. I think I had a couple of cigarettes just to wash down the vodka and that was me done
Fearne Cotton
“I think I had a couple of cigarettes just to wash down the vodka and that was me done. That was my meal that night.”
The pair tied the knot in 2014 in a intimate ceremony attended by celeb pals, such as Denise van Outen, Holly Willoughby and Keith Lemon.
Jesse admitted he had to clean up his act to win Fearne’s heart and publicly described her standards as bein very high.
The couple welcomed their first child together, Rex, in 2013, followed by daughter, Honey, in 2015.
Who is Fearne Cotton's famous father-in-law?
Fearne Cotton's, 43, ex-husband Jesse Wood, 48, is the son of Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood, 77.
Speaking to The Guardian in 2013, Fearne admitted: “I never thought I would be related to Ronnie Wood.
“I‘m the biggest Stones fan, but now he lives down the road and is just Rex’s granddad.“
The rock ‘n’ roller has reportedly played a big part in the couple’s life, as well as their children’s, although she admitted the little ones aren’t really interested in his job.
Speaking to You magazine, Fearne said her children Rex and Honey “sort of get it”, but aren’t phased by it all and would still rather play with their toys than go to a Rolling Stones concert.
She said: “We took Rex to the Stones gig at Twickenham last summer and he was dancing, then by about 9pm he went ‘I’m really tired’. So we slipped out.”
“I can sit with Ronnie and see him as my husband’s dad and my children and stepchildren’s grandfather, and then I see him performing with the Stones and go ‘Oh my God, they can do that!’”
Jesse also has two children from his previous marriage, Lola and Arthur.
However, this is something that was a struggle for Fearne, as she admitted on Kate Ferdinand’s Blended podcast in 2022that she “felt very ill equipped” being a step-mum to kids who are notable older than her own children.
Just after celebrating their 10-year anniversary, Fearne shared on Instagram that she had called time of her marriage.
She penned: “It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage. Our priority has been and always will be our children. We please ask that you respect the privacy of our family at this time.”
New Boyfriend on the Block
Fearne is said to have found love just three months after her split from Jesse – and pals say she is back in her “happy place”.
She was pictured kissing TV director Elliot Hegarty on a night out last month (February 27).
The pair also shared an embrace on the street, before walking through London’s bustling Soho district.
She had earlier introduced Elliot to friends over dinner, including TV fashion consultant Gok Wan.
Fearne and Elliot have known each other for a while. When their marriages ended their friendship developed into romance. Her split with Jesse was incredibly difficult but Elliot seems to make her incredibly happy
source close to fearne
A source said: “Fearne and Elliot have known each other for a while. When their marriages ended their friendship developed into romance.
“They have been seeing each other since January.
“Her split with Jesse was incredibly difficult but Elliot seems to make her incredibly happy.
“Fearne is now introducing Elliot to friends and they’re pleased to see her smiling again.”
The Sun contacted representatives about Fearne and Elliot’s relationship on January 17.
Today Fearne’s representative said they had no comment. Elliot’s wife Laura was also contacted but did not respond.