BEL MOONEY IMAGINES: Dear Bel, I fathered two love children when I played away. How do I solve this toxic mess?

Our brilliant advice columnist Bel Mooney has answered thousands of letters from readers over the years. But what if the rich and famous turned to her for unparalleled advice on their own problems?

Each week we invite Bel to look behind the headlines and reflect on an imaginary celebrity dilemma that we’ve put right for her (tongue firmly in cheek). In turn, Bel will accept the letter at face value, just as she does with all the letters that appear in her famous column every week.

She will give an honest answer – so celebrities and politicians, listen up! This week we imagine what English footballer Kyle Walker might write in a letter to Bel.

Dear Bel,

I’ve made some serious mistakes in my love life, and I’ve admitted it. As a man in a leadership position, I am a role model, but I know I have not lived up to that.

My wife (my teenage sweetheart) and I have three children, with the fourth coming soon. But even though I seemed to have everything a man could want – good looks, a dream career, a beautiful family, an extremely generous salary – I played away. The other woman had my baby. My wife was understandably furious, but we reconciled – as long as I completed the affair.

But I went back and fathered a second child with the same woman. When my wife found out, that was the last straw. I was afraid my marriage was over. I have publicly admitted my idiotic decisions, but this has infuriated the other woman.

Now my wife and I are trying to rebuild our relationship, but it is still in its early stages. How can we possibly move forward – and do the best for my (soon to be) six children?

Kyle

Bel Mooney replies: You’ve been honest, so I’ll be too. It is very difficult for any woman to read a letter like yours without it ending up in a pile of smoldering ashes on the floor.

Anger is not a powerful enough word. Throughout my long life and career, I have met so many men like you, who are convinced that they can “have” any woman they look at. It seems you are arrogant and self-centered enough to follow the mindless dictates of your powerful masculinity, without ever thinking about how the women you impregnate actually feel.

Do you remember feelings? No, I’m not talking about casual gropings in the back of the club, but about the kind of desperation a woman feels when she realizes she’s been foolish enough to make the wrong choice.

You have behaved like a creature from the jungle, without any concern for the consequences. Sadly, I cannot see that there is any dignity in your pathetic story and your precious little love.

Oh, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with your sixth unfortunate offspring for a moment, as you did with all the others, but then you’ll just go on with your successful, selfish life.

Then maybe (in a few years) you’ll cast your suspicious eye on some other beautiful creature (I bet younger than these two women) to roll around with. Then… hey presto, there’s another little Kyle or Kylie.

But I must try to take your letter at face value. You say you are sorry and that you sincerely want to rebuild your life with the woman who put up with you for so many years. I hope you realize she can never trust you again.

You also have to accept that not a day goes by where she doesn’t consider you a fool and a cheater. When all the regrettable, shameful memories come flooding back when she’s mad at you, it’s hard. Look into the future and your teenage crush may become a bitter old lady who yells at you for what you’ve done – and you’ll have to accept it and reap what you’ve sown.

So now ask yourself if you are man enough to accept that. It is also essential to be kind and generous to the other woman you have also betrayed. This is a toxic mess, but you made it, so you might as well get on your knees and clean it up.

How can you do the best for your children? By changing the man you are. The end of.