| Red Moon |
26-11-2007 08:47 AM |
Rodney\'s wife speaks out
Quote:
Rodney's wife speaks out His sexist rants have infuriated millions of women fans and shocked his fellow campers in the I'm A Celebrity jungle.
Former England footballer Rodney Marsh claimed that childbirth isn't as painful as a broken leg and that women are only good enough to be housewives.
But today we can reveal that he's really a hen-pecked husband who dons a pinny to do the cooking and cleaning at home.
Rodney's wife Jean and daughter Joanna say he often makes the family meal.
And that behind closed doors he's a hopeless romantic and devoted dad who, rather than hire a cleaner, does household chores himself.
Speaking from their home in Florida, Jean, 63, says: "I know Rod has said some things in the jungle that have raised eyebrows.
"But he wouldn't say anything like that to me - he wouldn't dare!
"I'd give him one of my looks if he tried. If he really was that sexist, I wouldn't have been married to him for 40 years. I'd never put up with that nonsense."
Rod, 63, said women make too much of a fuss about childbirth, insisted he'd never fly in a plane piloted by one and that he could not name a female scientist or artist.
The former football pundit - sacked by Sky for a joke about the tsunami disaster - also said: "Women will never be equal to men, they're not on the same level."
But his family dismiss his outbursts as macho bluster. Jean, who divides her time between their family home in Tampa and a flat in Wimbledon, South London, says:
"Rod's a fantastic father and husband.
"He might not be demonstrative in public but he is at home, where it matters. For our 40th anniversary in March he brought me breakfast in bed with a rose on the tray and a beautiful diamond bracelet on the side. And he's great around the house. He'll happily vacuum, dust, put out the bins and do the laundry. He's not great at ironing but does his shirts. And he loves cooking.
"If he says childbirth is a breeze, it could be because he wasn't there when I gave birth to our son and daughter - in those days many men weren't. He arrived when the babies were all washed and wrapped, and I didn't moan about the pain because I was so elated. And he was happy to change their nappies.
"Rod's always so positive about women in the workplace. I'm vice-president of a property company and Joanna is a marketing executive, and he's always encouraged both of us to be the best we can.
"I know Rod better than anyone. He's saying these things just to get a reaction. When people ask how we met, he says 'I saw Jean through the bottom of a light ale glass' for a laugh.
"But it's not true. We first met at a jazz club in London and it was love at first sight.
"He's bored in the jungle so he's throwing ridiculous statements into the air to stir things up. I'll be having a few words with him when he gets out!"
Rod's daughter Joanna, 39, was yesterday flying to Australia to greet her dad whenever he is voted out.
She says: "I haven't been shocked by anything Dad's said because I know that's just his sense of humour.
"Sparks might fly between him and Lynne Franks because she's a feminist. But if she knew dad like I do she'd warm to him and would know he doesn't genuinely hold those beliefs.
"He's encouraged me to do well in my career just as much as my brother Jonathan.
I just hope viewers get to see my real, non-sexist dad soon!"
RODNEY'S SEXIST SAYINGS
When asked to explain the offside rule to women, he replied: "No, why don't you go and do some cooking and ironing?"
"Of course there's a role for women in football - otherwise who will make the half-time tea?"
"What has a woman ever invented? How many women scientists are there?"
"Would you fly on a plane flown by two women? They'd be putting their lipstick on in the wing mirror."
"Women will never be equal to men because they're not on the same level."
"When you break your leg playing football, that's more painful than giving birth. Why make such a fuss about it?"
"Women have no sense of humour."
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"He brought out a mandolin and I sat at his feet all night." Janice on meeting Beatle George Harrison
BUNGLE IN THE JUNGLE
A row erupted over a beans mix-up. Rodney hit the roof. "I could murder someone for some baked beans!"
|
Source: The Daily Mirror |
