Melanie Slade - The Latest "Footballer's Wife"

Melanie Slade is the girlfriend of Arsenal footballerboyfriend Theo became a shock selection for
Theo Walcott and the latest addition to the realEngland's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad even though
"Footballer's Wives" stable. She first met the Englandhe had not featured in club Arsenal's Premiership
squad member outside the shop where she workedcampaign and manager Sven Goran-Eriksson hadn't
at West Quay shopping mall in Southampton. Melanieseen him play.
was outside with a basket in her hand whenMelanie has since become a firm tabloid favourite and
Walcott's friend announced "the basket is for phonethere was little surprise when in May, a leading UK
numbers".tabloid newspaper reportedly offered her
Cheeky Theo scribbled his mobile number on a scrap£160,000 for a topless photo shoot. She
of paper and tossed it into Mels basket and his friendaccepted the offer and appeared topless in the
did the same. The romance had begun and Melanienewspaper although she did preserve her modesty
Slade and Theo Walcott have been an item everby covering up with her hands.
since.She is using her new found status to support the
Walcott said they are not a typical "footballer couple"2006 Race for Life event organised by Cancer
and would not let the media attention affect them.Research UK but has also asked for privacy whilst
He said: "We haven't been to any footballer partiesshe revises for her exams.
at all. We're not people who like to party."Melanie is also the daughter of a now locally famous
Walcott has told the media he and Melanie made aman. Her father, John Slade, recently became the
bet as to who could pass their driving test first and784th mayor of Southampton at a ceremony at the
Melanie won, as Theo failed his first test and Melaniecity's Guild Hall.However, she missed the ceremony as
passed hers at the first time of asking.she had jetted off to Portugal to join Theo's World
There were no hard feelings on losing the bet andCup preparations.
Theo spent £20,000 on a white VW Beetle forMelanie has stated she will not make any further
Melanie, affectionately known by as the 'Love Bug'.decisions about the various media offers she has
Theo even registered the private number plate T4Mreceived until after the World Cup, although she could
symbolising 'Theo for Melanie' for his girlfriend.be a permanent fixture in print and on screen over
Melanie shot into the media limelight when 17-year-oldthe next 12 months.