Title:
Melanie Slade - The Latest "Footballer's Wife"
Word Count:
428
Summary:
Melanie Slade is the girlfriend of Arsenal footballer Theo Walcott and
the latest addition to the real “Footballer’s Wives” stable.
Keywords:
melanie slade, theo walcott, free world cup bets
Article Body:
Melanie Slade is the girlfriend of Arsenal footballer Theo Walcott and
the latest addition to the real “Footballer’s Wives” stable. She first
met the England squad member outside the shop where she worked at West
Quay shopping mall in Southampton. Melanie was outside with a basket in
her hand when Walcott's friend announced "the basket is for phone
numbers".
Cheeky Theo scribbled his mobile number on a scrap of paper and tossed it
into Mels basket and his friend did the same. The romance had begun and
Melanie Slade and Theo Walcott have been an item ever since.
Walcott said they are not a typical "footballer couple" and would not let
the media attention affect them. He said: "We haven't been to any
footballer parties at all. We're not people who like to party."
Walcott has told the media he and Melanie made a bet as to who could pass
their driving test first and Melanie won, as Theo failed his first test
and Melanie passed hers at the first time of asking.
There were no hard feelings on losing the bet and Theo spent £20,000 on a
white VW Beetle for Melanie, affectionately known by as the 'Love Bug'.
Theo even registered the private number plate T4M symbolising 'Theo for
Melanie' for his girlfriend.
Melanie shot into the media limelight when 17-year-old boyfriend Theo
became a shock selection for England’s 2006 FIFA World Cup squad even
though he had not featured in club Arsenal’s Premiership campaign and
manager Sven Goran-Eriksson hadn’t seen him play.
Melanie has since become a firm tabloid favourite and there was little
surprise when in May, a leading UK tabloid newspaper reportedly offered
her £160,000 for a topless photo shoot. She accepted the offer and
appeared topless in the newspaper although she did preserve her modesty
by covering up with her hands.
She is using her new found status to support the 2006 Race for Life event
organised by Cancer Research UK but has also asked for privacy whilst she
revises for her exams.
Melanie is also the daughter of a now locally famous man. Her father,
John Slade, recently became the 784th mayor of Southampton at a ceremony
at the city's Guild Hall.However, she missed the ceremony as she had
jetted off to Portugal to join Theo’s World Cup preparations.
Melanie has stated she will not make any further decisions about the
various media offers she has received until after the World Cup, although
she could be a permanent fixture in print and on screen over the next 12
months.