WAYNE Rooney was only stopped by police and arrested for drink-driving because of a faulty £4 brake light, it has been reported.

The 31-year-old footballer was pulled over at the wheel of a convertible VW Beetle alongside its owner Laura Simpson at 2am on Friday by officers in Cheshire.

17 Wayne Rooney pictured returning home after being charged with drink driving Credit: Zenpix

17 Laura Simpson with her VW Beetle which reportedly had a faulty brake light when it was pulled over by cops

17 Laura with the VW Beetle Wayne was driving when he was pulled over by the police Credit: nbpress ltd

17 Wayne and Coleen in an Instagram snap she posted two weeks ago with the comment 'We love you and are so proud of you'

The Mirror reports that the Everton striker could face losing half of his £80million fortune over the minor traffic violation.

A pair of replacement brake light bulbs to fit the 10-year-old motor retail at £4 in Halfords.

It comes after the star told pals he fears his marriage is over after pregnant wife Coleen stormed out with their three sons shortly after flying home from Majorca.

Pregnant Coleen, 31, arrived at Tony and Colette McLoughlin’s home in a white Range Rover with sons Kai, seven, Klay, four, and one-year-old Kit on Saturday afternoon.

A source said: “She’s been spending time with her parents deciding what to do — but at this stage she feels it’s over.

“Things could change in the coming days but as things stand she’s had enough and it’s finished. This was the final straw and she feels humiliated. She’s planning to walk away.”

17 Laura Simpson recently posted pictures of her on holiday in Dubai

17 Friends say Coleen might leave him this time Credit: Getty - Contributor

17 She fears he cheated or he was at least planning to Credit: Instagram

17 Coleen has left the couple's home with their three sons Credit: Zenpix

Wayne has also told friends he fears his nine-year marriage may be over. One said: “Wayne doesn’t know what to do with himself.

“He’s had to apologise to Coleen for lots of things in the past — but this is looking like the toughest one yet. She is absolutely raging.”

Coleen dropped a heavy hint that she would keep the kids with her if she and Wayne do split.

She uploaded two poignant photos of the boys on her Instagram account and wrote: “No matter where I am they always follow me, and I hope that lasts forever.”

Coleen’s parents are refusing to speak to former England captain Wayne.

Her brothers, who are close friends with Wayne, are also giving him the cold shoulder.

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Colette was with Coleen when she arrived back home in Prestbury, Cheshire, on Friday to confront Wayne after cutting short her holiday.

A source said: “When Coleen got home she stayed calm for the sake of the kids so she wasn’t really talking to him.

“But her mum was giving Wayne a lot of grief.”

Colette demanded he explain how he came to be at the wheel of a VW Beetle alongside its owner Laura.

Wayne had met Laura on Thursday night in cocktail bar Symposium during a boy’s night out in Wilmslow.

They later took a taxi to her car before deciding to drive the 21 miles to her house.

17 Laura Simpson was with Wayne Rooney when he was stopped for drink driving Credit: Twitter

17 Laura Jade Simpson has opened up about her whirlwind night boozing with Wayne Rooney Credit: Twitter

17 Laura said she didn't do anything wrong and that she 'isn't a marriage wrecker' Credit: Twitter

Wayne got behind the wheel after reportedly having been drinking that evening and was arrested around 2am.

The source added: “Wayne spent Friday night in the spare room. He told Coleen nothing happened but she’s not happy with the explanation he’s given.

“It’s playing on her mind what could have been if he hadn’t been arrested.

“He is painting himself as this chivalrous figure who only got behind the wheel because he thought he was sober and wanted to make sure Laura got home safe.

“But if Wayne wanted to help the girl out why didn’t he just pay for her cab? After all, he’s worth about £50 million.

“Coleen feels Wayne is lying to her. You can imagine how angry she is. He says there was no funny business but because of his track record she’s struggling to take him at his word.

“They are both worried about the effect the stress of this might have on the baby.”

Coleen, who rang Laura on Friday to ask for her version of what had happened, is not thought to have made up her mind yet about her whether to end her marriage.

17 Laura Simpson has spoken to Coleen on the phone following Thursday's events

17 The £130,000-a-week player was nicked as he drove Laura home

A source said: “If she does change her mind in the coming days and decides to stick with him for the sake of the children, he really will be on his last chance.”

Wayne’s agent Paul Stretford arrived at the striker’s £4million home yesterday afternoon for talks.

DON'T ROO-IN YOUR DAY How to fix your brake light so you don't get pulled over like Wayne

Coleen was pregnant with Kai in 2010 when Wayne romped with hookers Jenny Thompson and Helen Wood.

Earlier this year Coleen was furious at reports he “cosied up” to a woman in a pub during a late night pub session while she was in Madrid.

An ex-friend of Laura’s said Coleen was lucky police had stepped in to arrest Wayne this time — or she might be dealing with another cheating scandal.

17 A showdown between Wayne and wife Coleen is expected after the pregnant mum jetted in from a holiday to confront her husband Credit: PA:Press Association

17 Wayne Rooney and wife Coleen are expecting their fourth child together Credit: AFP - Getty

The friend said: “Laura was taking him home. There’s no doubt what would have happened if they’d got there.

“She has a bit of a reputation when it comes to men and doesn’t care whether they are married or have a family.

“You would have to be living in a hole to not know that Wayne has three kids and that Coleen is pregnant.”

17 Rooney was pictured by fan Jack McIver in The Bubble Room

17 The footballer was out to give ex-Man United star Wes Brown a final send-off before he left to play in India

Wayne will appear in court in Stockport on September 18 charged with drink driving.

He is expected to be questioned by Everton manager Ronald Koeman about the row today.

He is likely to be fined two weeks wages — around £320,000.

Just two weeks ago Coleen shared an Instagram snap of her arm-in-arm with Wayne to mark his retirement from international football.

She wrote: “Congratulations on an amazing England career! We love you and are so proud of you!”

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