Ben Ofoedu is a Nigerian-British singer–songwriter and reality TV star who is known as the former frontman for the U.K. dance band “Phats and Small“. Ben is also well-recognized for being the ex-fiance of Vanessa Feltz who is a TV personality and journalist.
Ben’s first band was Benz, which he joined in 1993. He began co-hosting ‘The Vanessa Show‘ with his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa Feltz in 2011. He won £150,000 for charity on the celebrity edition of “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire”. He and his partner Vanessa appeared on an episode of “Wife Swap” in which Vanessa was sent to live with magician Paul Daniels.
Where is Ben Ofoedu from?
Ben Ofoedu was welcomed by his parent on 29th June 1972 which makes him the present age of 50 as of 2022. He is from Hong Kong, China. When Ofeoedu was two he moved to Essex with his parents and five siblings. Among his five siblings, one of his younger brothers Roy sadly passed away at the age of 47. He took to his Instagram on Monday to share the tragic news, sharing how his “heart was broken”. His broadcasting fiancé Vanessa Feltz, 60, also mourned the “tragic loss” when she shared a photo of Roy on her Instagram story. When he announced the news, Ben shared two photos of Roy beaming for the camera with Ed Sheeran’s song The A Team playing over the top. In his caption, he wrote, “My heart is broken, baby bro. I love you very much and know that we will see each other again. Rest in eternal peace. Roy Ofoedu. 12/03/75 – 16/09/2022.’ Neither Ben nor Vanessa revealed the reason for Roy’s sad death. Talking about his ethnicity, he belongs to a mixed ethnical race as he has Nigerian-British descent. He holds the nationality of British. Ever since a child, Ben dreamed of becoming famous.
Ofoedu was never much interested in studies yet his passion for music helped him in becoming one of the most renowned singer in the world.
Ben Ofoedu Career Timeline
- It was in 1993 that Ben joined the band “Benz” and later became the lead singer of “Phats & Small” in 1999. The band is best known for the smash hit “Turn Around (Hey What’s Wrong With You).”
- In the year 2000, Ben released a solo single “Your Love”. After a year, he joined the band “REDhill” with former Boyzone member Shayne Lynch.
- Ben then took part in the UK Eurovision selection contest ‘Making Your Mind Up’ with the song “Hand On Your Heart” with the band “Four Story”. The band placed fifth and lost out to Javine.
- He has appeared on a number of TV programs with his fiancé, Vanessa including “Celebrity Wife Swap” in 2007 – they swapped places with Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee. The duo even raised £150,000 for a cancer charity when they appeared on Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionare? The two also co-hosted the chat show “The Vanessa Show” on Channel 5.
- Ben and Vanessa reached the final of the quiz show “Pointless Celebrities” and took part in “All Star Mr & Mrs” in 2014. The loving pair also appeared together on Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Side as panel members in 2014.
- He appeared live on the BBC program The Big Questions in a debate entitled, “Do you need to be born again to be a Christian?” in 2015.
- Likewise, he hosted the 90s dance night Big Ben’s Big Tunes and performed with other acts such as Damage, Dane Bowers, 5ive, and Heather Small in the year 2018.
- His band “Boyz On The Block” reformed at his 48th birthday party in June 2020. The band members consist of 90s icons Dane Bowers from Another Level, Boyzone’s Shane Lynch, and Five’s Abz Love.
Are Ben Ofoedu and Vanessa Feltz still together?
Ben Ofoedu was engaged to his ex-fiancé, Vanessa Feltz. In February 2023, she revealed to The Sun on Sunday newspaper that she and Ben had split. Vanessa Feltz has dumped her fiancé amid suspicions of him cheating on her with several women. After their 16-year relationship, their break-up will come as a huge shock. Amid a string of allegations that Ben repeatedly cheated with a number of women, Vanessa was horrified to discover his “double life” Vanessa confirmed she has left Ben over his behaviour and admitted she is devastated, but declared: “Onwards and upwards.” Vanessa told The Sun on Sunday: “I had thought it might take a bit longer before this came out, because it’s a lot to deal with — a shock like this takes some adjusting to — but I am extremely sad and disappointed that my 16-year relationship with Ben is over.” A friend of the couple said of her split with Ben: “He has cheated copiously, all over the place, exposing her to all sorts.
Everything To Know About Vanessa Feltz
Ben and Vanessa have been engaged since 2006 and they were due to wed in 2007 and again in 2011 but have yet to get married. After 14 years of their engagement, Ben told “You know what, if it isn’t broken, why fix it?” “In the 14 years Vanessa and I have been together, we’ve seen so many friends get married and after a while, we thought, ‘This is working the way it is.'” “If we do get married, who knows, but not at the moment.” Previously, they lived together in St John’s Wood, London, in a house previously owned by art king Charles Saatchi.
Ben Ofoedu and Vanessa Feltz met each other via their mutual friend Keith Duff who is a Boyzone star. After spending time with Vanessa in the Big Brother house in 2001, Keith decided to introduce her to Ben. Vanessa is 10 years older than Ben.
Who is Vanessa Feltz?
Vanessa Feltz is the host and former Celebrity Big Brother. Her early morning radio show on BBC Radio 2 is much appreciated by her fans and one of the critics has described her voice as “like lemon tea with honey”. She became a journalist after graduating from uni – often specializing in sex tips – before replacing Paula Yates for the “On the Bed” interviews on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast. She then went on to have her own ITV daytime chat show, Vanessa, before moving to the BBC to present The Vanessa Show.
Vanessa was previously married to Michael Kurer for 17 years until their divorce in 2000. Michael is a surgeon by profession. The duo has two daughters together namely Allegra and Saskia.
What is Ben Ofoedu Net Worth?
Ben Ofoedu is a pop singer and host. As a singer, he has been a band member of bands including Benz, Phats and Small, REDhill, and more. With the band, he has released several singles while he released a solo single “Your Love” in 2000. Also a host, Ben hosted the 90s dance night Big Ben’s Big Tunes and performed with other acts such as Damage, Dane Bowers, 5ive, and Heather Small. His main source of wealth comes from the music industry.
The net worth of Ben Ofoedu is estimated to have $5 million as of 2023. On the other side, the net worth of his fiance, Vanessa Feltz, is $52 million (£38 million) at the time of writing. In 2018’s BBC talent list, Vanessa’s salary with the corporation was listed at £330,000-£339,000. Ben defended her for her earning saying “she’s good at what she does”. He told Woman Magazine in 2018: “She doesn’t actually drive a hard bargain at all. Vanessa does the job that no-one else can do — she can go from radio to entertainment shows to reality.” “I’d like to see another woman as intelligent as Vanessa, she has to come down from her intelligence to chat with people in conversations.” Ben is living a lavish lifestyle at present and he also possesses luxurious cars and big mansion.
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