Rugby League star Joe Westerman is engaged again after a tumultuous period less than two years ago when his then wife Lauren kicked him out following the emergence of a video showing him engaging in a sex act with another woman.
Express Sport witnessed the clip featuring the England international Westerman just as the 2023 Super League season was about to kick off.
His team, Castleford Tigers, stated at the time that they were handling the situation behind closed doors.
Lauren made it clear that she was not the woman in the footage, which was taken in an alleyway behind a Greggs outlet, and was said to be a friend’s spouse.
She expressed her distress on social media, particularly for their nearly 15-year-old child who could potentially see such content online.
“We have three children one of whom is almost 15 and she doesn’t need to see things like this all over social media!” Lauren posted.
After receiving the video before it went viral, Lauren ended her marriage with the athlete. Westerman later found love with real estate agent Alison Hopkinson, and now the couple have announced their engagement.
According to The Mail, Alison celebrated their engagement by posting pictures on her social media, and the publication confirmed their relationship in 2023.
Speaking with Mirror Sport in August 2023 about his regrettable incident, Westerman disclosed: “The first few weeks were tough. It was a massive mistake on my front, a stupid drunken mistake which shouldn’t have happened.
“Rugby-wise, I put it to one side and I think I’ve played some of my best rugby again. I’m pretty good at leaving stuff off the field when I walk over that line.
“But it’s made me have to re-evaluate a lot of things. I am happier off the field and my kids seem happier which is important as it was hard on them. And it’s very amicable at the moment (with ex-wife Lauren).”
At 35, Westerman remains integral to Castleford, even leading as captain throughout the 2024 Super League season.
After finishing in a modest 10th place which kept them safe from relegation yet out of the eliminators, he remains a part of Castleford’s leadership.
Sam Wood has been named by coach Danny McGuire as the new captain for the 2025 season.
As the incoming leader, Wood said on his new role: “To be given the captaincy in the second year and to be able to lead you boys around the field and making sure I am approachable and a voice for you boys,.
“I think if we put the team first and have that mentality we won’t go far wrong because we are building a good foundation this year.
“Everyone is working their socks off, everyone’s buying in, we are all brought in together. We’ve been working hard together and that team first mentality, will take us somewhere this year boys, I guarantee it.”
This article originally appeared on the Mirror
