Retime

HE was Turkey’s most revered sportsman, recognised for his brilliance on the football field for Galatasaray and the national team.The legendary forward also holds the record for fastest ever goal in a World Cup finals.
Hakan Sukur parks his convertible Volkswagen outside his bakery in CaliforniaCredit: Getty – Contributor
Inside Hakan Sukur’s cafe in California near the famous Stanford University
But now, if Hakan Sukur, 50, steps foot in his own country, it’s likely he’ll face the death penalty or a life in prison, which is why he lives in exile in the US.
Hakan now lives in California, in the wealthy area of Palo Alto in Silicon Valley, on the outskirts of San Francisco.
But he isn’t a programmer and doesn’t work for a hi-tech app company. Instead, he’s an Uber driver and formerly ran a cafe.
“I moved to the United States, initially running a cafe in California, but strange people kept coming into the bar,” he told German outlet, Welt am Sonntag.
He used to run a popular bakery called Tuts, where the house specials were dishes like Turkish sausage and eggs, and Greek-style pancakes.
It received rave reviews on rating website Yelp, with comments such as: “Oh my gosh. This is the best place in the Bay Area to eat delicious food with your friends.
“The staff is so kind and friendly.”
But none of the customers mentioned that one of the men behind the cafe is Turkish football legend Hakan Sukur.
Turkey’s most famous footballer sold pastries and muffins to get byCredit: Instagram @tutsbakery
Hakan Sukur’s former cafe got rave reviews on the internetCredit: Instagram @tutsbakery
Back in the 1990s, the prolific striker WAS the idol of Istanbul.
Kids playing around the local bazaars all had Gala shirts with his famed number nine on the back and he could do no wrong.
Hakan scored 295 goals in three spells with the Turkish giants, played Premier League football with Blackburn for a season and had a spell in Serie A for Torino.
But even though it didn’t work out for him in Italy and England, he was welcomed back to his own country with open arms.
Hakan Sukur is Turkey’s most famous footballer everCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Due to his links to alleged terrorist group FETO, a warrant was issued for Hakan Sukur’s arrest in August 2016Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He was always a hero, a role model and to this day, is still the best striker Turkey have ever produced.
His record 51 international goals back that statement up, and nothing in Turkish football indicates it will be broken any time soon.
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}latest football features.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
However, when Hakan retired in 2008 he sought out a life in politics.
In 2011, he was elected as an Istanbul MP for the Justice Development Party, a conservative political group that has ruled over Turkey since 2002.
In three spells at Galatasary Hakan Sukur found the net 295 timesCredit: Getty – Contributor
Galatasary legend Hakan Sukur was nicknamed The Bull of the BosphorusCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The Bull of the Bosphorus was making strides and friends in government.
He aligned himself with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as maintained a friendship with cleric Fethullah Gulen.
In 2013 an alliance between Erdogan and Gulen, who was keen for Turkey to become an Islamic state was destroyed when a government corruption scandal erupted.
Erdogan blamed Gulen for the disruption, and given Hakan was seen as a disciple of the Gulen movement, it all started to go wrong.
That same year, the government closed all schools run by Gulenists and Hakan resigned from the governing party in protest to run as an independent.
In 2011, Hakan Sukur was elected as an Istanbul MP for the Justice Development PartyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Hakan Sukur resigned from the Justice Development Party to run as an independent in 2013Credit: Getty Images – Getty
During a controversial speech at a Turkish university Hakan Sukur spoke proudly of his Albanian rootsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Shortly after, Hakan gave a university speech where he told an audience of bemused students: “I am Albanian, as such I am not a Turk.”
Given the political climate in a country that was aiming to regain its national identity, those comments weren’t well-received.
In 2016, Hakan was charged with insulting President Erdogan on Twitter.
That summer, a trial began in absentia. Hakan claimed it wasn’t his intention to insult Erdogan, but prosecutors disagreed.
In 2016, Hakan Sukur was charged with insulting Presideny Erdogan on TwitterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Blackburn Rovers signed Hakan Sukur in 2002
In July that year, hell broke loose when a coup, organised by Gulen with the aid of a small fraction of the Turkish Armed Forces, attempted to overthrow Erdogan.
The coup was defeated, but more than 300 people had lost their lives, 120,000 people lost their jobs and 50,000 were arrested.
Anyone who had Gulen links was deemed a terrorist and labelled a member of FETO (Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organisation).
A warrant was issued for Hakan’s arrest and he was charged with being a member of an armed terrorist group.
Hakan Sukur was a hero for the national team of TurkeyCredit: Getty – Contributor
Hakan was given the opportunity to renounce his beliefs and love for the Gulen movement, but passed on the chance.
His father, Selmet wasn’t so lucky. The authorities arrested him at a mosque in Adapazar and he was charged with financial coup support.
Somehow, Hakan managed to flee to America, but it was reported his father passed away in prison after battling cancer.
Since relocating to the US, Hakan Sukur first opened a cafe and bakery called TutsCredit: Getty – Contributor
The cafe opened in Palo Alto in 2016 but has since closed downCredit: Instagram @tutsbakery
Hakan resurfaced in San Francisco County, in the wealthy surroundings of Palo Alto.
It’s been reported that he lives in a £3million home in the area, has three luxury cars and is enjoying the high-life.
The fallen icon may never be able to return home, but it could’ve been a whole lot worse. More

MOVE aside Coleen Rooney, Rebekah Vardy and Abbey Clancy, these ladies were the original Wags of their time. The term Wag was first coined in 2006 when Victoria Beckham, Louise Owen and Elen Rives strutted their stuff in Baden-Baden during England’s 2006 World Cup campaign.
The term Wag was first coined during England’s 2006 World Cup campaignCredit: Associated Newspapers
But, it was in the 1990s with the birth of the Premier League, that footballers in England were becoming a catch.
The likes of Ryan Giggs, Liverpool’s ‘Spice Boys’ and many others enjoyed mixing playing on the field with playing off it with these fine beauties.
But who stepped out with who?
Join SunSport in taking a trip down memory lane to revisit the Wags that were ahead of the game… but what do they look now?
Dani Behr
Dani Behr was famous for presenting 1990s TV show The WordCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Ryan Giggs and Dani Behr dated in 1994Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now living in LA, Dani Behr works in real estate and still looks glamorous todayCredit: Getty – Contributor
Earning notoriety on 1990s show The Word put the gorgeous presenter well and truly in the spotlight.
But it’s her relationships with footballers that made her a tabloid name.
Dani, now 51, was once engaged to former QPR and Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand, who she dated between 1995-98.
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}latest football features.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
Before that, she famously had a fling with Man United legend Ryan Giggs. Then, in 2001 Dani had a one-year romance with Aussie goalie Mark Bosnich.
She now works in luxury real estate in LA.
Louise Redknapp
Louise Redknapp sang in pop group Eternal before she met Jamie RedknappCredit: Rex Features
After nearly 20 years of marriage, Louise and Jamie Redknapp split in 2017Credit: Getty – Contributor
Before Jamie, Louise, 47, was a singer in pop group Eternal, who debuted in 1993.
She was one of the hottest performers around, which saw her embark on an ill-fated solo career after leaving the group.
In 1997, she met Jamie and they married a year later following a whirlwind romance.
However, in 2017 she announced her marriage to the former Liverpool star had come to an end.
Suzi Walker
Suzi and Ian Walker embraced celebrity culture by doing fancy photoshootsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
When her marriage came to an end, Suzi Walker dated former Crystal Palace chairman Simon JordanCredit: Louis Hollingsbee
Synonymous with the term ‘Footballers Wives’, Suzi was believed to be one of the inspirations behind the ITV show of the same name.
She was married to Tottenham goalie Ian Walker and they regularly posed together in fancy magazine shoots at their home.
But their marriage came to a sticky end when the former England international fessed up that he had an affair.
Suzi, 49, went on to date Simon Jordan in the late 2000s and they had one child together, a girl called Cameron.
Leslie Ash
Leslie Ash and Lee Chapman enjoyed celebrity couple status in the 90sCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
At 61, Leslie Ash still looks great and is a regular on the red carpetCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Alongside her footballing husband Lee Chapman, Leslie was the epitome of what a Wag was.
She attended all the celeb parties with her Leeds United beau and became a household name thanks to TV comedy Men Behaving Badly.
They married in 1988 and their marriage has lasted the test of time.
Both Ash, 61, and Chapman are still occasionally seen on the party scene, spotted in 2017 at an Ibiza Rocks party.
Davinia Taylor
Davinia Taylor was one of the ‘It’ girls of the 90sCredit: Rex Features
Hollyoaks beauty Davinia Taylor dated footballers including Ryan Giggs, Robbie Fowler and Jamie RedknappCredit: PA:Press Association
Davinia Taylor returned to the soap that made her famous in 2016Credit: Nick Obank – The Sun
One of the famous “It” girls of the 90s, the former Hollyoaks beauty was universally loved by the Premier League’s elite.
The soap star, now 44, had flings with Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp and Ryan Giggs through the 90s.
Famously, she married David Beckham’s best mate Dave Gardner in 2003, but they divorced in 2009.
Part of the Primrose Hill set, with besties being Kate Moss and Sadie Frost, she returned to the Cheshire based TV show in 2016.
Davina McCall
Davina McCall and Stan Collymore had a romance in 1998Credit: PA:Empics Entertainment
Now healthier than ever, Davina McCall embraced exercise and changed her dietCredit: Getty – Contributor
Davina McCall was labelled a ‘Ladette’ in the 1990sCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
One of the “Ladettes” of the 90s, Davina was a feisty MTV presenter back in the day.
Another one who embraced party scene, 54-year-old Davina got together with Stan Collymore shortly after he moved from Liverpool to Aston Villa in 1998.
However, their relationship didn’t last, which is one of Collymore’s biggest regrets, according to his book.
He believes she was the one that got away.Ulrika Jonsson
Ulrika Jonsson had relationships with Stan Collymore, Les Ferdinand and Sven Goran ErikssonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
TV star Ulrika Jonsson always had an eye for a footballerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now 54, Ulrika Jonsson appeared on Celebrity Masterchef in 2017
Which moves us swiftly on to the Swedish bombshell, Ulrika.
She too had a fling with Stan the man, but there was one problem… he was said to be seeing Davina at the time.
Ulrika also reportedly had an affair with Les Ferdinand after they met at a charity event in 1998.
And who can forget when Ulrika, 54, had a romance with former England boss Sven Goran Eriksson. That’s right, no one.Mandy Smith
Mandy Smith married former Spurs hardman Pat Van Den Hauwe in 1993Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now enjoying life out of the spotlight, Mandy Smith teaches youngsters how to prepare for their first Holy CommunionCredit: Rex Features
A former singer and model in her heyday, Mandy, 51, married former Spurs hardman Pat Van Den Hauwe in 1993.
It didn’t last long, it was just two years before they parted ways.
Before that, self-confessed wild-child Mandy dated former Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman when she was just 13-years-old.
She now lives in Manchester, is teetotal and is a church-goer teaching youngsters how to prepare for their first Holy Communion.
Michelle Gayle
Michelle Gayle married footballer and TV pundit Mark Bright in 1996Credit: PA:Press Association
Arsenal fan Michelle Gayle starred in Eastenders and released pop songs in the 90sCredit: PA:Press Association
In 2011 Michelle Gayle wrote a fictional book about WagsCredit: PA:Press Association
The British singer and actress was famous for singing hits “Sweetness” and “Do You Know”, as well as starring in Eastenders in the 1990s.
But the London-born Arsenal fan also married footballer Mark Bright in 1996, before they split ten years later.
Since then, Michelle, 50, has starred in US TV series Wolfblood and appeared on Loose Women as a guest.
She showed she was a true Wag in 2011 by penning a book called “Pride and Premiership” which was about two girls who aspire to get married to footballers.Victoria Beckham
Victoria Beckham was called the ‘Queen of the Wags’ in 2006Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Now a fully fledged fashion designer, Victoria Beckham is far removed from the world of WagsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It wouldn’t be a Wag round-up if we didn’t mention Posh Spice.
Since marrying England legend David Beckham in 1999, it’s fair to say Victoria has moved away from Wag status.
Now working in the realms of high-end fashion, Vic, 47, was dubbed “Queen of the Wags” in 2006.
She spent most of her time at the World Cup in Germany hanging out with Cheryl Cole, but she reportedly wasn’t very social with the other Wags.
Emily Symons
Matt Le Tissier dated Emily Symons in 1999 after meeting her in Southampton when she was starring in pantoCredit: Solent News
Emily Symons played Marilyn Chambers in Aussie soap Home and AwayCredit: PA:Press Association
In 2000, Matt Le Tissier dumped Emily Symons a year before they were supposed to marryCredit: ITV
The Aussie actress was lauded for her work on Aussie soap Home and Away playing the role of Marilyn Chambers.
After starring as Goldilocks in a panto at a Southampton theatre, she soon began dating Matt Le Tissier in 1999.
The couple got engaged after just six months, but it wasn’t to be.
Le Tiss reportedly dumped Symons, now 52, in 2000 – a year before their planned wedding.
Emma Bunton
Emma ‘Baby Spice’ Bunton briefly dated footballer Rio FerdinandCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Emma Bunton, now 45, is a radio DJ on Heart FMCredit: Splash News
When Emma was just a ‘Baby’ in the Spice Girls, she was also getting notable glances from footballers on the party circuit.
Fresh from the success of Victoria dating David, Emma thought she would dip her toe into the football pool.
@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}most read in football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
She began dating Rio Ferdinand in 1999, when he was plying his trade at West Ham.
It didn’t last long though and she reportedly began seeing actor John Simm soon after.Caprice
American model Caprice burst onto the scene in the mid-90sCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
After a fling with Tony Adams, Caprice dated George Best’s son Calum Best and cricketer Kevin PietersenCredit: Splash News
The American cover model got close to ex Arsenal captain Tony Adams after they met in 1999.
She originally burst onto the scene, rather literally, in 1996 in an infamous Wonderbra advert.
And her relationship with sports stars, or those related to sports stars, continued.
The 50-year-old also dated George Best’s son Calum and was also seen on the arm of cricketer Kevin Pietersen.
Lizzie Cundy
Lizzie Cundy was once married to former Chelsea footballer Jason CundyCredit: Rex Features
Now a radio presenter on FUBAR Radio, Lizzie Cundy hosts a show called Access All AreasCredit: Splash News
Formerly married to TalkSport host Jason Cundy, Lizzie, 53, has taken full advantage of her WAG status since their split.
She hosts a TV show called WAGS World on Wedding TV, as well as its spin-off Sporting Icon WAGS.
The notorious socialite is also a presenter on FUBAR Radio, hosting weekly chat show Access All Areas.
In 2014, Lizzie showed she was still a catch when she was linked to Hollywood actor Gerard Butler. More