Inside Ian Rush's love life with partner 16 years younger as Liverpool icon eyes Xmas homecoming

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Rush began dating the Irish singer and model in 2012 after separating from his wife of 25 years, Tracy.READ MORE: Liverpool icon Ian Rush hospitalised and spent 48 hours in intensive care after breathing troublesREAD MORE: Liverpool dressing room verdict on Mohamed Salah future clear after Arne Slot rowHe told WalesOnline in 2022 that he "couldn't be happier" with his new life, with his two sons Jonathan and Daniel thriving, while he had just moved into a new house he had built with his long-term partner Carol.His relationship was instantly thrown into the spotlight when reports first emerged, with Carol accused of breaking up the football hero’s marriage, while also facing criticism over the pair’s age difference.However, Carol decided to speak out on behalf of herself after several news outlets wrongly claimed there was a 22-year age difference between her and Rush, revealing the truth about their relationship in the process.Liverpool knocks 65% off kits and merchThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. There's 13 years between my own parents."The slant they put on it was wrong, like I was marrying him for money or something.

I just felt it was time I spoke up for myself."Ian himself said, it's great to support a footballer in the height of their career but when you finish your career, it's a downward spiral and a whole different ballgame."I've been so supportive of Ian over the last years and helped him work on getting contracts so it feels a bit like a slap in the face when you read these articles. It was a little bit hurtful."Women are strong and we'll always try to take things on the chin but when I saw Ian getting annoyed about it I said, ‘No I'm going to take a stance on this.’"Since then, the couple have been busy planning their future, with Ian and Carol revealing last year they were eyeing a summer wedding in the south of France.

We're together 12 years now."But I used to walk behind Ian at every function because I would never want to be photographed with him. I went into a phase where I wanted to be unknown.