Former England defender Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock pictured with his then-wife Sarah before his appearance on ‘I’m A Celebrity…’ in 2004
Former England footballer Neil Ruddock and his ex-wife have returned to court as part of the latest stage in a 14-year financial dispute.
Ruddock, who played for Liverpool, West Ham and Tottenham, divorced Sarah Ruddock more than ten years ago, but the former couple remain locked in a prolonged legal row stemming from the end of their marriage.
The pair both attended a private hearing today at the Central Family Court in London, where the matter was considered by a judge.
District Judge Alun Jenkins permitted a journalist to be present for the proceedings, while placing restrictions on what information could be published.
He ruled that Ruddock and his former wife, who continues to use the name Mrs Ruddock, may be identified in reports about the case.
However, the judge made clear that details of the evidence presented by either side must not be disclosed publicly.
In the proceedings, Mrs Ruddock was listed as the applicant, while Ruddock was named as the respondent.
Ruddock, 51, who was nicknamed ‘Razor’ during his playing days for his no-nonsense tackling, was represented by a barrister, whereas Mrs Ruddock, 49, represented herself.
Neil Ruddock with his current wife Leah at a Sugarbabes TV premier in November 2015 (left) and (right) the footballer with his ex-wife Sarah at a charity event in 2004
Neil Ruddock with his fellow Celebrity MasterChef 2019 finalists, Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison and Olympian Greg Rutherford
‘Razor’ Ruddock during his playing days after he was left with a bloody lift following West Ham’s 1-0 win over Liverpool in November 1999
The case was listed by a number which indicated that the litigation began in 2005.
Ruddock, a central defender and left-back who won one England cap, also played for clubs including Southampton, Crystal Palace and Swindon during a career spanning more than 12 years.
He took part in the 2019 series of the BBC’s Celebrity MasterChef and reached the final where he lost out to Olympic gold medallist, long jumper Greg Rutherford.
Ruddock also went into the jungle to take part in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here in 2004 and Celebrity Big Brother in 2013.
After receiving major health warnings on ITV documentary Harry’s Heroes in which he teamed up with former boss Harry Redknapp and a host of ex-England stars to take on retired German players, Ruddock lost an impressive 1.5 stone.
Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock appeared on This Morning in March alongside current wife Leah to admit he’s gained even more weight since appearing on Harry’s Heroes: The Full English, despite branding his health woes ‘a wake up call’
Ruddock was a professional footballer from 1986 until 2003, and most famously played for Liverpool from 1993 to 1998 (he is pictured above in 1993)
Having struggled with his weight since hanging up his boots, Ruddock then dropped two shirt sizes and improved his fitness.
But appearing on This Morning with his current wife Leah, the retired footballer said he lost weight but then put more back on after the documentary finished.
Ruddock said he has been told by doctors to lose five stone and is already taking statins to lower his cholesterol.
Last month he narrowly missed out on winning the Celebrity MasterChef with fellow finalists, Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison and Rutherford.
Ruddock married glamour model Leah Newham, who he met while visiting troops in Iraq, at Eastwell Manor near Ashford, Kent, in 2013.
The couple invited fellow Celebrity Big Brother housemate Rylan Clark along as ringbearer for the big day with their children Pebbles and Kizzy also in attendance.
