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.
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Marcus Rashford is targeting a club playing in the Champions League for his next move, a source has told ESPN.The forward, on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, is set to delay a decision on his future until after the end of the season.Villa have an agreement with United to make his loan move permanent for a £40 million ($53m) fee, although a source has told ESPN that they are yet to...
LEGENDARY Portuguese footballer Luís Figo and his stunning Swedish model wife Helen Svedin have reportedly separated, according to Spanish media.The former Real Madrid and Barcelona star, 52, and the 50-year-old blonde beauty, who tied the knot in 2001, have ended their romantic relationship.Helen Svedin has three children with Luis FigoLuis Figo was so good he won the Ballon D'orFigo, who ha...
Fans loved the DAZN presenter's new "Bond girl" look as she wore a low-cut scarlet ski suit on the slopes.Diletta Leotta chose a look worthy of 007 movies but for adoring fans it was more swoon-maker than MoonrakerFans were given a glam and glacial treatThe wife of ex-Liverpool keeper Loris Karius hit new peaks for style as she wrote: "Summer starts at altitude."Leotta was also called a "Beautiful...
The Uruguayan joined Manchester United last summer in a £50million move from Paris Saint-Germain.Georgia May Heath is reportedly dating Manuel UgarteIt appears to be the same flat that Ugarte lives inUgarte, 24, has endured a mixed season in terms of personal performances along with the rest of the squad.Man United are slumped in 14th place in the Premier League on 38 points.The club's only h...
The stunning Italian presenter is married to former Liverpool star Loris Karius.DAZN presenter Diletta Leotta was warned by her colleague's jealous partnerBut Federico's wife Eleonora Abbagnato (right) claims she was jealous of his co-starBut that didn't stop the jealous wife of Federica Balzaretti from throwing shade at Diletta in a recent interview.Balzaretti, a former Serie A star, teamed up wi...
The pair announced their shock split in January after 30 years together - with divorce proceedings commencing the following month.Pep is not giving up on his marriage to Cristina, sources sayThe pair pictured in 2023 in Istanbul, married in 2014But, following a three-day trip to Barcelona over the Easter break, the couple are now believed to be "giving each other another chance," according to Cata...
The former volleyball player has built a huge following on social media.Kayla Simmons poses in front of a stunning backdropThe influencer was celebrating Earth DayThe influencer loves to spend time in the oceanKayla played volleyball for Marshall University.The influencer began to build a big online fanbase during her college career.She now boasts one million followers on Instagram.Kayla captioned...
One Bolton Wanderers fan wasn't going to take the taunts of Lincoln City supporters lying down as she hit back at their brutal chants with some jaw-dropping banter of her ownOne female fan wasn't prepared to take Bolton Wanderers' defeat at Lincoln City lying downA female football fan gave rival supporters an eyeful when she lifted up her top in response to savage terrace taunts.Bolton Wanderers f...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 3 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 4 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 5 Liverpool interested in signing Mason Greenwood
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 8 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid
- 9 Liverpool join race to sign attacker Jeremy Monga
- 10 Ancelotti in Brazil job talks