| Melanie Slade is the girlfriend of Arsenal footballer | | | | boyfriend Theo became a shock selection for |
| Theo Walcott and the latest addition to the real | | | | England's 2006 FIFA World Cup squad even though |
| "Footballer's Wives" stable. She first met the England | | | | he had not featured in club Arsenal's Premiership |
| squad member outside the shop where she worked | | | | campaign and manager Sven Goran-Eriksson hadn't |
| at West Quay shopping mall in Southampton. Melanie | | | | seen him play. |
| was outside with a basket in her hand when | | | | Melanie has since become a firm tabloid favourite and |
| Walcott's friend announced "the basket is for phone | | | | there 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 friend | | | | accepted the offer and appeared topless in the |
| did the same. The romance had begun and Melanie | | | | newspaper although she did preserve her modesty |
| Slade and Theo Walcott have been an item ever | | | | by 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 parties | | | | she 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 a | | | | man. Her father, John Slade, recently became the |
| bet as to who could pass their driving test first and | | | | 784th mayor of Southampton at a ceremony at the |
| Melanie won, as Theo failed his first test and Melanie | | | | city'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 and | | | | Cup preparations. |
| Theo spent £20,000 on a white VW Beetle for | | | | Melanie 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 T4M | | | | received 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-old | | | | the next 12 months. |