Welsh singing sensation Charlotte Church makes a return to our screens tonight, appearing on BBC's The Traitors: Uncloaked. Her comeback sparks a look back at one of Wales's most famous former relationships, with rugby icon Gavin Henson, whose life has taken a quieter turn as a pub landlord.
The Rugby Superstar and the Celebrity Romance
Gavin Henson was more than just a phenomenal rugby talent for Wales. He became the sport's first true superstar, often compared to David Beckham for his style, grooming, and high-profile life off the pitch. His legendary performance against England in the 2005 Six Nations, where his match-winning penalty secured a Grand Slam, cemented his status.
It was around this time his romance with Charlotte Church, then the nation's beloved classical singer, burst into the public eye. Dubbed the 'Welsh Posh and Becks', their relationship captivated the nation. Church famously revealed on her BBC podcast how she pursued Henson after watching that iconic game, asking around Cardiff to find him.
The couple welcomed two children, Ruby in 2007 and Dexter in 2009. Henson proposed in 2010 for Church's 24th birthday, but the engagement lasted only six weeks. Church later reflected that both had a change of heart, and described the intense, often negative, media scrutiny they endured.
Controversies and the 'Chimp Paradox'
Henson's career was punctuated by as many headlines for off-field incidents as for sporting brilliance. His struggles with alcohol contrasted sharply with his professional demeanour. In 2012, Cardiff Blues dismissed him for inappropriate behaviour on a flight, and a year later, a drunken remark led to an assault captured on CCTV.
In a candid interview, Henson discussed reading Professor Steve Peters' book 'The Chimp Paradox'. He confessed it helped him understand that his impulsive, self-destructive side—his "chimp"—had controlled him for much of his career. "If I'd found the book while I was still playing rugby, I'd 100 per cent have been a better player," he admitted.
A New Chapter: The Fox and a Rugby Return
Today, at 43, Gavin Henson has embraced a different pace of life. He is the landlord of 'The Fox' pub in St Bride's Major, a venture he took on as his professional rugby career wound down. "I needed something to do after rugby and to be busy, not to mourn rugby and get depressed," he told The Times, noting the demanding nature of the business.
Beyond pulling pints, he has also returned to his sporting roots, playing fly-half for his boyhood club, Pencoed RFC. "I've missed the physicality of it, and being in a team environment again and trying to win," he told BBC Scrum V, highlighting his enduring competitive spirit.
Both Henson and Church have moved on, marrying new partners in 2017 and 2019 respectively, and maintain a positive relationship as co-parents. The story of the rugby star turned publican marks a poignant and relatable next chapter for one of Wales's most iconic sporting figures.
