Imogen's revenge! Giggs's girl cashes in on affair with mischievous ad campaign for bookie (just make sure you keep your eye on the ball, Ryan!)

By Daily Mail Reporter


Scroll down to see a video of the photoshoot

Cheeky girl: Imogen Thomas has returned to work – in Manchester United kit promoting Paddy Power’s offer on the Champions League Final. Paddy Power will refund losing bets if United lose the match


Imogen Thomas has cashed in on her affair with Ryan Giggs with a high-profile ad campaign that could ensure it is not just football on his mind on Saturday night.

Given the distractions he has had this week, the Manchester United star will no doubt be pleased to focus his attention on trying to claim a third Champions League winner's medal with his club.

But one bookie has teamed up with the former Big Brother contestant for an eye-catching photoshoot that may mean Giggs has more than Barcelona to be wary of at Wembley.

The ad campaign posters carry the slogan: 'Imogen can't keep quiet about this!'


The Big Brother, star who had an affair with the footballer, took part in the shoot - dressed in a United shirt - with betting website Paddy Power for this Saturday's match. She is believed to have been paid a high five-figure sum for the ad campaign.

The bookie has refused to reveal the details of the campaign that they will be carrying out at the weekend, but it is believed there could be some high-profile trickery, including distracting pitchside displays.

A video filmed during the photoshoot appeared briefly on YouTube stating: 'As Giggs name was mentioned in the House of Commons, Imogen Thomas was on a photoshoot at Paddy Power.'

Revenge: The odds that 'Imogen' will be the first catchphrase to be used by ITV presenters are currently at 25/1. She is pictured right arriving at her lawyer's office.


The video may have proved too cheeky, however, as by the afternoon it disappeared. Another couple of hours later and it had been put up again after 'technical difficulties'

Showing Miss Thomas in various different poses, the video added: 'This photoshoot is the easiest gig she has ever had.'

It's all part of an offer whereby people betting on the match will get their money back if Barcelona wins in 90 minutes at the Champions League final at Wembley.

A Paddy Power spokesman said: 'With such an offer who else could we choose to front our advertising than Imogen Thomas - the most talked about woman in Britain this week.

'We did consider the Middleton sisters - but they were otherwise engaged.'

Special bets have also been put on relating to Giggs specifically with 7/1 odds that he scores and 72 that he is caught offside during the match.

There is also a 'commentary cliché' special for betting on the first phrase from a list to be used by ITV commentators.

Favourite at 3/1 is the mention of '2009' followed by 'Bobby Charlton' - who scored two goals in the Wembley 1968 final - at 8/1. But then there is 'Imogen' at 25/1 and coming in at odds of 40/1 is the phrase 'Giggs has been caught offside'.

Final preparations are made to the pitch at Wembley Stadium for the Champions League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United on Saturday


Darren Haines from the bookmakers declined to say how much Miss Thomas had been paid for the advertising campaign but did say it was a one off.

When asked if there would be mischief made during this weekend's match by the bookies, he said: 'We wouldn't really discuss our promotional campaigns.'

The company has got into hot water in the past over its advertising campaigns. An advert showing a group of disabled people fleeing from an Indian restaurant without paying.

Another - the most complained about advert of 2010 - showed 'blind' footballers using a ball with a bell inside it. When a cat wearing a bell round its neck runs onto the pitch, however, one of the players kicks it over a fence and into a tree.

Man United fans will be hoping Ryan Giggs can maintain his focus on Saturday's Champions League final

Though Giggs got a warm reception from the fans, the strain of his complicated love life was etched clearly on his face on the field at Old Trafford




source:dailymail

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I’m disappointed in you’: Ryan Giggs’s estranged father breaks 20 year silence on son’s affair (despite walking out on his own family)

By Richard Hartley-parkinson


Ryan Giggs pictured as a boy with his father, Danny Wilson, who said he was disappointed in his son


Despite walking out on his own family 20 years ago, Ryan Giggs's father broke his silence to say how disappointed he is with his son over his affair with Imogen Thomas.

Danny Wilson, 55, spoke out about the relationship - the first time he has spoken publicly about his son after refusing to do so to protect his Manchester united career.

Mr Wilson said: 'Ryan is looked upon as clean living, almost beyond reproach. Now he's shown to have human frailties the same as the rest of us.


'I didn't think Ryan was like that,' he told the Sun. 'He is an iconic footballer who has achieved fantastic things. I had him on a pedestal. I'm immensely proud.

'But I am deeply disappointed at what Ryan has done, particularly as he has a young family. I'm sad for the effect it's going to have on them. His mother will be devastated.'

Following a difficult start to life, Giggs's fortunes were turned around thanks to the support and leadership of his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson

Speaking about his son's affair broke a 20 year silence in which Mr Wilson has never spoken about Giggs


When Mr Wilson, an ex-rugby league star, walked out on his family, Giggs disowned him and adopted his mother's surname.

Although he insists the split was not because of another woman, Mr Wilson was regarded as a womaniser whose career was curtailed by heavy drinking and crime, including a six-month jail stretch for attacking a police officer.

Thankfully for Giggs, Sir Alex became a father figure in his life and gave him direction. He even sees his father, but admits that things will never be the same again.

Mr Wilson, whose parents are from Sierra Leone and is now a security guard, said Giggs should have 'manned up', admitted the affair and apologised for it right from the start.

He also thinks the decision to take out an injunction was a bad one and he was badly advised.

If he had come clean from the beginning, Mr Wilson said, 'no one would be talking about it now. He's made it ten times worse.

'I'd be surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson told him to take out the injunction - it was probably other people around Ryan.'

Speaking two years ago about his relationship with his father, Giggs said: 'Everyone's childhood shapes who they are and what they do, and it was two sides of the story with my dad.

'I didn't like the relationship he had with my mum but there was another side where I looked up to him. My dad was my first hero.

'I think my parent's split may have contributed to that inner steel where I can block things out.

'When I was playing football, I never thought about the arguments between my mum and dad. I get on with my dad but I’m not going to let myself get close to him again because it would hurt my mum and people who mean a lot to me.’

Stacey Giggs was photographed arriving at Old Trafford for a family day at the weekend but yesterday she was seen without her wedding ring


source:dailymail

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'I called it off a million times... but then I thought he wanted to marry me': Imogen Thomas reveals 'love affair' with Giggs

By Richard Hartley-parkinson


-Imogen claims: 'He knew it was wrong but he kept pursuing me'
-Family says they fear she may commit suicide
-The couple met for secret love trysts in hotels before big matches

What a striker: Imogen Thomas, posing in a Manchester United top, said she tried to end the affair 'a million times' but thought Ryan Giggs wanted to marry her


Reality TV star Imogen Thomas claims she tried to break up with Ryan Giggs several times throughout their six-month affair.

She even thought the footballer would leave his wife Stacey and actually wanted to marry her because he refused to let the affair end and kept coming back.

Miss Thomas, 28, met Giggs - who is now being named thanks to Lib Dem MP John Hemming using parliamentary privilege to identify him on Monday - in hotels throughout their relationship.

Ryan Giggs pictured today on his way to training. Miss Thomas claims he kept pursuing her after their first liaison in a hotel


They even met up in hotels on nights before two crucial matches.

Miss Thomas spoke recently about the pressure she is being put under, saying she has turned to 'three big glasses of wine a night' to cope with it all.

She said that she has not been sleeping well because of an injunction taken out against her and has lost a lot of weight.

Giggs gave the thumbs up to fans last night as he jogged into Old Trafford for Gary Neville's testimonial match

United we stand: Giggs recreates the 'Class of 92' photograph ahead of the game


Talking about her affair with 37-year-old Giggs she said: 'I called it off a million times but he kept coming back. He knew it was wrong as well, he said as much, but he was pursuing me.'

Her family has echoed warnings over her state of mind made by publicist Max Clifford. Her sister Alana went as far as saying that she was frightened her sister might commit suicide.

Miss Thomas, a former Big Brother star, claimed she never intended to sell her story and denies allegations that she was trying to sue Giggs for £100,000.

A friend said: 'Imogen was 100 per cent certain he would leave Stacey and the kids and move in with her. It wasn't a relationship built totally on sex. She thought it went much deeper. She was in love but now she has been left high and dry.'

Their affair began, perhaps inevitably, at a London club one night last September. According to Miss Thomas, Giggs did not initially know who she was.

'We hit it off straight away because we had so much in common,’ she told a Sunday tabloid a little over a month ago.

Miss Thomas's recollection suggests that the Manchester United footballer knew what he was doing and had a clear mind.

'He was quiet and seemed quite sober,' she said. 'Back at the hotel bar we were just chatting about life but I could tell he was interested in me.

'We kissed and I ended up staying the night with him. I knew he was married but I was caught up in the moment and I never thought it was going to go anywhere.'

She claims she tried to end the affair there and then, but he insisted that she give him her number and the following day he called to check she had arrived home safely and subsequently pursued her with a stream of flirty texts.

What followed has filled column inches and called into question the UK's privacy laws which, in the days of Facebook and Twitter, appear outdated.

Last night Giggs made his first public appearance following the revelations about his private life, playing the opening 30 minutes of a testimonial match for Gary Neville.

His wife - who 24 hours earlier was pitch-side cheering him on during family celebrations at Old Trafford - was photographed leaving the couple's £6m home near Manchester without her wedding ring.


source:dailymail

Read more »

'I called it off a million times... but then I thought he wanted to marry me': Imogen Thomas reveals 'love affair' with Giggs

By Richard Hartley-parkinson


-Imogen claims: 'He knew it was wrong but he kept pursuing me'
-Family says they fear she may commit suicide
-The couple met for secret love trysts in hotels before big matches

What a striker: Imogen Thomas, posing in a Manchester United top, said she tried to end the affair 'a million times' but thought Ryan Giggs wanted to marry her


Reality TV star Imogen Thomas claims she tried to break up with Ryan Giggs several times throughout their six-month affair.

She even thought the footballer would leave his wife Stacey and actually wanted to marry her because he refused to let the affair end and kept coming back.

Miss Thomas, 28, met Giggs - who is now being named thanks to Lib Dem MP John Hemming using parliamentary privilege to identify him on Monday - in hotels throughout their relationship.

Ryan Giggs pictured today on his way to training. Miss Thomas claims he kept pursuing her after their first liaison in a hotel


They even met up in hotels on nights before two crucial matches.

Miss Thomas spoke recently about the pressure she is being put under, saying she has turned to 'three big glasses of wine a night' to cope with it all.

She said that she has not been sleeping well because of an injunction taken out against her and has lost a lot of weight.

Giggs gave the thumbs up to fans last night as he jogged into Old Trafford for Gary Neville's testimonial match

United we stand: Giggs recreates the 'Class of 92' photograph ahead of the game


Talking about her affair with 37-year-old Giggs she said: 'I called it off a million times but he kept coming back. He knew it was wrong as well, he said as much, but he was pursuing me.'

Her family has echoed warnings over her state of mind made by publicist Max Clifford. Her sister Alana went as far as saying that she was frightened her sister might commit suicide.

Miss Thomas, a former Big Brother star, claimed she never intended to sell her story and denies allegations that she was trying to sue Giggs for £100,000.

A friend said: 'Imogen was 100 per cent certain he would leave Stacey and the kids and move in with her. It wasn't a relationship built totally on sex. She thought it went much deeper. She was in love but now she has been left high and dry.'

Their affair began, perhaps inevitably, at a London club one night last September. According to Miss Thomas, Giggs did not initially know who she was.

'We hit it off straight away because we had so much in common,’ she told a Sunday tabloid a little over a month ago.

Miss Thomas's recollection suggests that the Manchester United footballer knew what he was doing and had a clear mind.

'He was quiet and seemed quite sober,' she said. 'Back at the hotel bar we were just chatting about life but I could tell he was interested in me.

'We kissed and I ended up staying the night with him. I knew he was married but I was caught up in the moment and I never thought it was going to go anywhere.'

She claims she tried to end the affair there and then, but he insisted that she give him her number and the following day he called to check she had arrived home safely and subsequently pursued her with a stream of flirty texts.

What followed has filled column inches and called into question the UK's privacy laws which, in the days of Facebook and Twitter, appear outdated.

Last night Giggs made his first public appearance following the revelations about his private life, playing the opening 30 minutes of a testimonial match for Gary Neville.

His wife - who 24 hours earlier was pitch-side cheering him on during family celebrations at Old Trafford - was photographed leaving the couple's £6m home near Manchester without her wedding ring.


source:dailymail

Read more »

I’m disappointed in you’: Ryan Giggs’s estranged father breaks 20 year silence on son’s affair (despite walking out on his own family)

By Richard Hartley-parkinson


Ryan Giggs pictured as a boy with his father, Danny Wilson, who said he was disappointed in his son


Despite walking out on his own family 20 years ago, Ryan Giggs's father broke his silence to say how disappointed he is with his son over his affair with Imogen Thomas.

Danny Wilson, 55, spoke out about the relationship - the first time he has spoken publicly about his son after refusing to do so to protect his Manchester united career.

Mr Wilson said: 'Ryan is looked upon as clean living, almost beyond reproach. Now he's shown to have human frailties the same as the rest of us.


'I didn't think Ryan was like that,' he told the Sun. 'He is an iconic footballer who has achieved fantastic things. I had him on a pedestal. I'm immensely proud.

'But I am deeply disappointed at what Ryan has done, particularly as he has a young family. I'm sad for the effect it's going to have on them. His mother will be devastated.'

Following a difficult start to life, Giggs's fortunes were turned around thanks to the support and leadership of his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson

Speaking about his son's affair broke a 20 year silence in which Mr Wilson has never spoken about Giggs


When Mr Wilson, an ex-rugby league star, walked out on his family, Giggs disowned him and adopted his mother's surname.

Although he insists the split was not because of another woman, Mr Wilson was regarded as a womaniser whose career was curtailed by heavy drinking and crime, including a six-month jail stretch for attacking a police officer.

Thankfully for Giggs, Sir Alex became a father figure in his life and gave him direction. He even sees his father, but admits that things will never be the same again.

Mr Wilson, whose parents are from Sierra Leone and is now a security guard, said Giggs should have 'manned up', admitted the affair and apologised for it right from the start.

He also thinks the decision to take out an injunction was a bad one and he was badly advised.

If he had come clean from the beginning, Mr Wilson said, 'no one would be talking about it now. He's made it ten times worse.

'I'd be surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson told him to take out the injunction - it was probably other people around Ryan.'

Speaking two years ago about his relationship with his father, Giggs said: 'Everyone's childhood shapes who they are and what they do, and it was two sides of the story with my dad.

'I didn't like the relationship he had with my mum but there was another side where I looked up to him. My dad was my first hero.

'I think my parent's split may have contributed to that inner steel where I can block things out.

'When I was playing football, I never thought about the arguments between my mum and dad. I get on with my dad but I’m not going to let myself get close to him again because it would hurt my mum and people who mean a lot to me.’

Stacey Giggs was photographed arriving at Old Trafford for a family day at the weekend but yesterday she was seen without her wedding ring


source:dailymail

Read more »