Fearne Cotton has been spotted sharing a passionate kiss with a new man more than a year after her marriage breakdown — with her ex-husband Jesse Wood reportedly left deeply upset by the public display of affection.
The TV and radio star, 43, confirmed the end of her marriage to Jesse Wood — the son of Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood — last year, following a decade together.
Now, over a year on from the split, Fearne appears to be embracing a fresh chapter, as she was seen locking lips with TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53, during a lively night out with friends in Soho on Thursday.
The pair looked relaxed and happy as they walked hand-in-hand along Charlotte Street, laughing and chatting alongside Fearne’s close friend Gok Wan.
However, sources claim the sight of Fearne openly moving on has been painful for her former husband.
A source said:
“Jesse was heartbroken when they split. He knew Fearne had begun a relationship with Elliot, but seeing them kissing in the street and laughing with her friends has been a bitter pill to swallow. He was married to Fearne for ten years and loved her deeply.”
According to reports, Fearne and Elliot have known each other for some time, with their friendship gradually developing into romance after both of their marriages ended.
Another insider revealed:
“They’ve been seeing each other since early this year. Fearne went through an incredibly difficult period after the split, but Elliot makes her genuinely happy. She’s now introducing him to friends, and everyone is pleased to see her smiling again.”
The Sun has reported that Elliot ended his marriage to his wife Laura — the mother of his three children — shortly after Fearne’s separation became public.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Fearne, Jesse and Elliot for comment.
Elliot is a twice-BAFTA-nominated director, best known for his work on the Disney+ drama Rivals, as well as hit series including Ted Lasso and the BBC comedy Cheaters.
Fearne’s new romance comes after a turbulent year marked not only by emotional upheaval, but also a serious health scare. The broadcaster previously revealed she had undergone surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jawline — just days before news of her marriage split emerged.
She later admitted on her Happy Place podcast that she continues to attend therapy every week, explaining that she struggles with self-criticism and unresolved emotions.
“There’s stuff from the past that still troubles me greatly,” she said. “I need constant tools to find peace with it.”
Fearne shares son Rex, 11, and daughter Honey, eight, with Jesse, and is also stepmother to his children Arthur, 21, and Lola, 18, from his previous marriage.
In her statement announcing the separation, Fearne stressed that their children remained their top priority.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage,” she told her followers. “Our priority has been, and will always be, our children.”
It later emerged that the couple had faced difficulties for several years, with Fearne previously admitting their relationship had been “suffering” as far back as 2019 due to Jesse’s demanding touring schedule with his band Reef.
The pair reportedly reached a breaking point following a heated argument in a local park, where they questioned whether their love had survived.
Now, one year on, Fearne appears to be stepping into a new phase of her life — calmer, happier, and cautiously open to love again.
