Former footballer Ryan Giggs admitted Tuesday to being unfaithful in all his past romantic relationships but denied ever being violent towards partners, as he gave evidence over charges of assault and coercive control of an ex-girlfriend.
Taking the stand for the first time in his week-old trial, the Manchester United legend denied physically assaulting former partner, PR agent Kate Greville, nearly two years ago or controlling her during their rocky years-long relationship.
Giving evidence in his defence, Mr Giggs was asked if his reputation for "infidelity" or being a "love cheat" was justified, to which he said he was "a flirt by nature".
Ryan Giggs, 48, is accused of controlling behaviour, as well as assaulting Kate Greville, 38, and her younger sister Emma, 26, in November 2020.
He denies all charges.
When questioned by his defence barrister, Chris Daw QC, if he lied to partners including Ms Greville about being unfaithful he said: " Yes, more than once".
But when asked if he had ever physically assaulted a woman, he said "no", adding that he had never set out to control or coerce a woman.
Mr Daw asked: "Did you ever set out to make Kate Greville a slave to your demands, as she claims?"
"No, " the ex-footballer replied.
Mr Giggs said he met his now ex-wife around at a barbecue when he was 18 and the pair started a relationship when he was in his late 20s.
He told the court they moved to Worsley, Greater Manchester, and had two children with whom he has "a very good" relationship with today.
He said he was not faithful to Ms Greville and never told her about his previous infidelities.
"I wasn't honest with her, no," he told Mr Daw.
"The first time I met Kate I was immediately attracted to her, I thought she was attractive, I thought she was intelligent, I thought she was funny."
He went on to say how the pair started flirting and that he thought she "looked hot" after swapping pictures of each from their travels.
The pair had sex for the first time the night before a planned London photo-shoot for Cafe Football, which they had kept secret.
Mr Daw asked: "What was the balance of interest in that?"
Ryan replied: "It was equal. We went back to the hotel room. We had sex and stayed the night."
The trial continues Wednesday.
A dazzling teenage talent, Giggs ended his career at Old Trafford as the most-decorated player in English football history.
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As a player, he made a club-record 963 appearances over 23 years for Manchester United, winning 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies.
He then began his coaching career at Old Trafford, taking temporary charge at the end of the 2013/14 season after Moyes was sacked, before working as an assistant to Louis van Gaal for two years.
Ryan Giggs was appointed Wales boss in January 2018 and helped them secure qualification for Euro 2020, just their second major tournament appearance since the 1958 World Cup.
