Tanya Bardsley might now be happily married to former Premier League footballer Phil Bardsley, but their love story kicked off about as smoothly as the punch he knocked out Wayne Rooney with.
In fact, their romantic journey started with rejection, thanks to a seven-word text message that Tanya couldn't help but turn her nose up at. At the time, she was a regular for iconic lad mag FHM and had just been featured on the cover.
Bardsley, meanwhile, was a starry-eyed Manchester United prospect, fuelled by dreams of landing both a spot in the first team, and, apparently, a pin-up model girlfriend.
Determined to connect with Tanya, who was the epitome of early-2000s glam, Bardsley tracked down her phone number and sent what he must have thought was a sure-fire opening line.
"I'm Phil, I play for Man U," read the text, which, in the world of sliding into DMs, was caveman-levels of creative. Unimpressed, Tanya fired an ego-piecing response back: "Never heard of you."
Tanya Robinson, now Tanya Bardsley, was an FHM cover girl
For most, that would have been game over. But Bardsley showing the kind of persistence that served him well on the pitch, refused to give up.
It took three years - and, we assume, some slightly better chat-up lines - before Tanya finally agreed to meet him, albeit during an already-planned night out on the town with some pals.
"I was going to a club with my friends and told him to just come there," Tanya remembered. Who says romance is dead? Fast-forward to today, and the couple, who tied the knot in 2014, have built a life together that includes kids, cars, and lessons learned about finances.
Tanya Bardsley later became a reality TV star
Tanya - best known for starring in The Real Housewives of Cheshire - was refreshingly candid about her love for luxury vehicles, revealing how she once asked Bardsley - who went on to play for Sunderland, Stoke and Burnley - for a Bentley as a "push present" and a Lamborghini Urus for her 40th birthday.
But hindsight, as they say, is 20/20. "I regret it now," Tanya told The Times. "He offered to buy me a house to rent out at the time, and now I don't have the car anymore."
Their romance might have started amid the glitz and recklessness of youth - but it wasn't long before Bardsley's grounded sensibility ultimately steadied their whirlwind lifestyle and helped Tanya embrace a more balanced approach to life.
"I have learnt more about money since and would make different choices today," she said. "Luckily my husband is sensible with money and runs a very tight ship."
Their story is a cheeky reminder that love doesn't always start with sparks flying. Sometimes, it begins with an underwhelming text message and plenty of persistence.
So the next time you're tempted to lead with a boastful one-liner, remember: it might take more than seven words - and three years - to win someone over. Just ask Phil Bardsley.
Benjamin Sesko has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs this summer, including Manchester United and Newcastle. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Anita Vidovic, has also turned heads.Sesko, 22, has been a shining star for RB Leipzig, netting 21 goals in all competitions during the 2024/25 season. Despite the Bundesliga side's underwhelming campaign, which saw them miss out on a top-four fini...
Borussia Dortmund have reopened internal discussions about re-signing Jadon Sancho, as the English winger's future at Manchester United continues to dominate the summer transfer conversation, sources close to the agent industry have informed CaughtOffside.Although a third spell at the Bundesliga club is being considered, sources indicate that Sancho, who scored 5 goals for Chelsea on loan last sea...
Benjamin Sesko is reportedly 'impressed' by Manchester United after being made aware of Ruben Amorim's long-term plans. A pursuit of a new centre-forward could lead the Red Devils towards making a formal approach for the RB Leipzig star.United will not be deterred in their search for a new No. 9 despite missing out on Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres. Amorim has already improved his forward line wit...
Infamous adult model Bonnie Blue once claimed she went to a football match with her dad but snuck off at half-time to bonk a fan.Bonnie revealed she livened up one married fan's afternoon during a drab game. She said that as the referee blew for half-time, she took the opportunity to honour a saucy promise.The adult star has fronted a new Channel 4 documentary titled 1000 Men and Me, which followe...
The Albanian TV host is often hailed as her nation's answer to Laura Woods and has built up her own massive fanbase.Eva Murati has wowed fans in a colourful boob tubeShe wore a matching bandanaShe posed for the snaps on the water's edgeEva, 30, presents coverage of the Champions League for Tring TV in her native Albania, and has also modelled and acted.And the beauty has built up an impressive fol...
The UFC legend left little to the imagination in a new Instagram post.Brittney Palmer posted a sizzling new post to her InstagramPalmer left little to the imagination while out sunbathingPalmer posted a picture while out sunbathing with no top on.She only wore bikini bottoms and a straw hat.Only a sun emoji covered her up while she laid out in the sun.Fans went wild for this new snap and shared th...
DAVID BECKHAM gave Tom Brady a lesson in English football fans' banter when he watched Birmingham take on Wrexham.The England and Manchester United legend was a special guest at St Andrew's as the two teams clashed in League One last September.NFL hero Brady, part-owner of Championship club Birmingham, sat with Beckham as the Blues won 3-1.And the two feature in a fly-on-the-wall documentary Built...
Jamie Carragher is beaming with pride after his daughter Mia secured a major breakthrough role.The ex-Liverpool defender and his wife Nicola are parents to two children - Mia and James. James has chosen to pursue his father's passion, developing a keen interest in football. After joining Liverpool's academy back in 2011, the now 22-year-old has established himself as a centre-back for League One o...
LIONEL MESSI has been spotted wearing a bright pink BARBIE watch worth an eye-watering £700,000.The Inter Miami star flexed the ultra-rare Rolex timepiece as he saw his side draw 0-0 with Cincinnati on Saturday night.Messi, 38, was not on the pitch as he was serving a one-match ban for skipping Major League Soccer's All-Star game last week.The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner instead sat in the ...
NICOLAS JACKSON has been enjoying some time off following the Club World Cup.Chelsea stars are yet to return for pre-season training having played deep into July as they lifted the revamped trophy.Since the Blues' Club World Cup win, Jackson, 24, has headed to the beach for some down time.The in-shape forward was snapped taking a dip in the ocean, while he also rode a jet ski.When he wasn't in the...
- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 Loris Karius lifts lid on relationship with Diletta Leotta
- 3 Jack Grealish shares sweet holiday snaps as girlfriend stuns in a yellow maxi dress
- 4 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 5 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 6 Man City to re-sign Trafford in $36M deal
- 7 Barcelona Reach 'Total Agreement' on Jules Kounde Contract Extension
- 8 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 9 Man Utd joined the race to sign Douglas
- 10 Transfer news & rumours LIVE