LOVE split rugby ace Danny Cipriani says he never cheated on his wife – but claims she “hoodwinked” him from the day they met.
In a rare and candid interview, the former England fly-half, whose past was dogged by cheating rumours, told how he “truly changed” when Victoria said she was pregnant and he was going to become a dad.
After his ex filed for divorce, saying he took drugs and had messaged other women, Danny accused her of building their four-year relationship on “lies” and “deceit”.
He claimed she told him she joined the Army aged 16, climbing the ranks so rapidly she was headhunted by MI5.
The 36-year-old also said Victoria, 42, claimed she had a multi-million pound inheritance pot thanks to her mum investing in land in California.
He insisted she told him she had worked as a body language expert with Chelsea footballers, but someone he spoke to at the club had never heard of her.
And he claimed she talked about once being in love with a drugs cartel boss, training as a nurse and working in psychology.
Danny, who admits his own past was “far from perfect”, said: “When I look back now, I realise how much she hoodwinked me. But I really wanted to believe her.
“I feel like I don’t know who she is. I don’t think I ever did because I have no idea what is the truth.”
Notorious ladies’ man Danny denied Victoria’s claims he shared anything more than friendships with women at a hotel bash, which led to a bust-up — the “final nail” in their marriage. And he said it was “red flags” about HER behaviour that made him quit their marriage.
Danny also revealed that, before Victoria got pregnant, he had avoided serious dating because he feared he could not stay faithful.
He said: “In the past, I was so worried I would end up cheating on women that I honestly just didn’t want to be in a relationship.
“I didn’t trust myself not to hurt people. I avoided any commitment.
“It was only when I thought I was going to become a dad that I truly changed. I never cheated on Vic. I couldn’t stay there because it was unhealthy for me.
“By the end of our relationship, I could not see her in the same light any more because I don’t believe she was truthful to me from the start.
"I want to move on now, but I wanted to tell my truth in this as well. I hope Victoria gets to a place of happiness too.”
Danny, now dating American actress AnnaLynne McCord, recalled how his relationship with Victoria was casual to begin with. He added: “We’d met up and had sex a few times, but it was nothing serious.
“Then she told me she was pregnant while I was in Malibu. It gave me hope. I have always wanted to be a dad.
“Covid hit and, in America, they closed everything straight away and I couldn’t get back for a month.
“We spent hours on the phone every day. We wanted to do better for the baby we were having.”
On his return to the UK, the couple set up home in Cheltenham.
It was during these first months Danny says he missed the “warning signs” about Victoria.
I wanted to help Victoria and I thought I loved her. But by the end of the relationship, I felt she was manipulating me
Danny Cipriani
In 2020, the couple sadly lost their baby, who they named River, at 23 weeks. Danny said: “We went through a lot of heartbreak and it brought us closer.
“I wanted to help Victoria and I thought I loved her. But by the end of the relationship, I felt she was manipulating me.
“All my friends and family were like, ‘Oh my god, finally you can see what she is doing to you?’.
“They were all so relieved and were like, ‘You have to get out’.”
Around Christmas 2022, Danny’s mum, Anne, had a stroke.
He said: “Victoria was involved with my mum’s care. But my mum’s friends started to question things that she told them about her past. They raised their concerns with me. They were worried about me.”
Victoria told The Sun on Sunday last week that she found Danny had sent “inappropriate” and “flattering” messages to other women.
And she said she feared he had “more than friendship” with females at an event at the Four Seasons Hotel in London in November, which she admitted led to her angrily confronting him and them.
But Danny said: “I was sat with a close friend, a spiritual woman I highly respect.
“She was on my table because her two sons like rugby. Victoria was on another table. She got drunk and started arguing and shouting.”
Danny — who has previously been linked to actress Lindsay Lohan, TV hosts Kelly Brook and Kirsty Gallacher, and ex-glamour model Katie Price — left the marital home in November.
He says he now feels “true love, like I haven’t felt before” with AnnaLynne, 37, who starred in US TV dramas Nip And Tuck and the reboot of 90210.
It has helped me get to this place I am today, which is the happiest I have ever been
Danny Cipriani
Responding to Victoria’s claims that she filed for divorce over his drug use, Danny admitted he still smokes weed two or three times a month and recently travelled to a retreat in Costa Rica where he drank Ayahuasca, a type of brew with hallucinogenic properties.
He said it helped him to “heal”, adding: “It has helped me get to this place I am today, which is the happiest I have ever been. I have accepted who I am and the mistakes I have made.”
But he added: “I am not saying I am an angel. It has been hard at times to look in the mirror and not like the person looking back.”
Last night Victoria disputed several of the claims, but declined to comment further.
