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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lily Waddell

How Rhian Sugden and Vernon Kay sexting scandal exploded - 'ruining' her career

Rhian Sugden and married star Vernon Kay's sexting scandal sent shockwaves through the showbiz circuit.

A decade has passed since the explosive scandal first hit headlines in 2010.

It's been dragged back into the limelight as the Page 3 model, 33, has spoken out about how the gossip "ruined" her career in upcoming Channel 4 documentary Page Three: The Naked Truth.

Page 3 girl Rhian told how it all begun when she first crossed paths with Vernon in Manchester.

Vernon, who at the time had been married to Strictly Come Dancing host Tess for seven years, chased after Rhian on Twitter, text and email for four months in 2010.

How Rhian Sugden and Vernon Kay 'sexting scandal' exploded 'ruining her career' (Instagram)

The model was rocketed into the spotlight when their X-rated messages hit the papers.

All Star Family Fortunes presenter Vernon made a public apology to his wife Tess as the scandal swirled.

In a public apology, the TV presenter vowed to never contact Rhian or the four other women he was messaging again.

Vernon had been married to Tess for seven years at the time the scandal hit headlines (PA)

He said on his radio show at the time: "I've disappointed and let down my family and for that I am very sorry."

It was claimed Vernon and Rhian were back in touch in 2015 after the presenter bombarded the beauty with messages requesting to "reconnect".

In 2018, Rhian penned an open letter to Tess apologising for her friendship with Vernon and she said she should never have got involved with a married man.

Now the blonde beauty has complained how the scandal wrecked her career while Vernon was allowed to "carry on with Family Fortunes" (Chanel 4)

She wrote in The Sun : "I deeply regret creating a friendship with Vernon and allowing him to continue speaking to me the way he did.

“I should never have got involved with a married man. As time has passed I regret not being wise enough or strong enough to deal with my own issues and insecurities myself."

Rhian went onto marry Oliver Mellor in 2018.

Now the blonde beauty has complained how the scandal wrecked her career while Vernon was allowed to "carry on with Family Fortunes".

She said in the upcoming documentary: "He just got away with it. It ruined everything for me. I felt like I was going up and up with my career and then that came along. I wish I'd never met him.

"He got to give an apology on the radio and just got to carry on, with Family Fortunes, ironically. It still makes me feel sick."

Vernon and Tess have been married since 2003.

The Family Fortunes presenter has two daughters Phoebe, 15, and Amber, 11.

*Page Three: The Naked Truth is on Channel 4 at 9pm on Thursday

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