Life

Marie Louise McConville: I'm sorry, but a man asking for an engagement ring back is a tasteless thing to do

Former Coronation Street actress, Faye Brooks and Pop Idol star, Gareth Gates recently called their wedding off. Following the split, Gareth asked for the £30,000 wedding ring back
Former Coronation Street actress, Faye Brooks and Pop Idol star, Gareth Gates recently called their wedding off. Following the split, Gareth asked for the £30,000 wedding ring back

I don't understand it myself.

To be honest, it really would be the last thing I would do.

Why on earth would any woman want to hold on to an engagement ring when the relationship breaks down?

The first thing I would do in such a situation would be to give it back.

Why would I want to hold on to something that symbolises the agony of heartbreak or reminds me of something that once made me so happy but then went painfully wrong?

Get rid and be done - that would be my thinking.

But then, everyone is different.

The issue has arisen this week following the sad news that former Coronation Street star Faye Brooks and fiance, Gareth Gates, of Pop Idol fame, have called off their wedding.

The famous couple had been together for seven years and got engaged in January when 35-year-old Gareth popped the question, presenting the 31-year-old actress, who played Kate Connor in the soap, with a £30,000 four carat diamond ring. (Wow).

So, everything was good and plans for the wedding were underway (so we believe) however, next thing we know, the wedding is off and the couple have split.

Obviously it's not a pleasant situation for either of the pair and feelings are probably hurt and hearts may be broken.

We're told the couple tried to make the relationship work but it just wasn't possible.

All very sad indeed but then we learned that Mr Gates asked his ex-fiancée to return the engagement ring he gave her.

Now, I just think this was a really classless thing to do.

At the same time, I don't know why any woman in such a situation would want to hold on to an engagement ring when the relationship ends?

I don't understand what would motivate Gareth to ask for this ring back, given that he gave it to Faye, whom he loved and wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Did she and the relationship mean so little to him or has it came down to the £30,000 it is worth? I would hope not.

We're told when asked, Faye gave the ring back no problem, as any lady would.

However, the fact that Gareth asked in the first place should tell her that maybe he wasn't the person she thought he was.

I just think a man asking for a ring back is in really poor taste.

Gareth, I don't know what you were thinking but your behaviour is disappointing.

Faye, you did the right thing.

Now it's time to move on and find someone who doesn't put a value on their love for you - you're worth way more than £30,000.

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