When Fearne Cotton was photographed kissing a television director ten years her senior last month, there was some surprise at how quickly she had moved on after announcing her separation from her husband, Jesse Wood, son of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie.
What’s good for the goose is, however, good for the gander.
The Daily Mail can disclose that Wood, 48, is enjoying a passionate romance with a former actress and model who found fame at the age of 13 when she appeared in a BBC television adaptation of a Charles Dickens novel.
The musician’s new girlfriend is Gemma Gregory, 39, who played the young Estella in the 1999 version of Great Expectations alongside screen legend Charlotte Rampling as Miss Havisham and Ioan Gruffudd as adult Pip.
Just like former screen star Ms Cotton, 43, Ms Gregory later moved on from television into the wellness business. While Ms Cotton interviews famous figures on her Happy Place podcast and writes books about well-being and mental health, Ms Gregory has brought out her own ‘sustainable’ fashion brand, Recovered by GG.
A mutual friend of Wood and Ms Gregory told the Daily Mail yesterday: ‘They seem very happy and in love. They have been together some time and people around them know about their relationship.’
The friend added: ‘Gemma is a lovely woman who has been through some difficult times over the years. She deserves some happiness.’
Ms Cotton announced before Christmas that she and Wood had separated after ten years of marriage.
Jesse Wood’s new girlfriend is Gemma Gregory, 39 (pictured), who played the young Estella in the 1999 version of Great Expectations
Ms Cotton was pictured kissing TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53, some 11 weeks after her split from Wood was announced
‘It is with a heavy heart that I let you all know that Jesse and I are ending our marriage,’ the TV and radio host said in an online post, adding that their priority would ‘always be’ their children.
The pair have a son, Rex, and a daughter, Honey. Wood also has two children from a previous relationship.
A week earlier, she had shared a health update after undergoing an operation to remove two benign tumours from her jaw. Ms Cotton started out in television in the 1990s presenting children’s shows. And Ms Gregory, after her role in Great
Expectations, went on to star in ITV children’s drama Gypsy Girl as well as hit series including The Bill and My Family.
Fearne Cotton and Jesse Wood attend a private view of Daft Apeth by Serge Pizzorno
The London-born daughter of actor Paul Gregory, Ms Gregory was romantically linked to Nicholas Knatchbull, son and heir of Earl Mountbatten. Her past boyfriends include Henry Brett, a captain of the England polo team.
A friend of Made In Chelsea star Hugo Taylor since they were 13, Ms Gregory appeared in the London-based reality TV series in 2012. She gave birth to a son, Benji, in 2014.
Ms Cotton was pictured kissing TV director Elliot Hegarty, 53, some 11 weeks after her split from Wood was announced. They were said to have been secretly going out with each other since January.
Hegarty, who has worked on TV shows including Ted Lasso, Rivals, Trying, and Bad Education, reportedly separated on Boxing Day from his wife Laura, mother of his three children.
Last night, Wood declined to comment, while Ms Gregory could not be reached for comment.
