Teri Copley denies cheating on John Stamos with Tony Danza: 'We had broken up'

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Teri Copley is speaking up after being named in a cheating scandal by her ex-boyfriend, John Stamos.

In his forthcoming memoir, If You Would Have Told Me (which hits shelves Tuesday), the Full House star recalls the end of his relationship with the model-actress, who he dated briefly in the '80s. The way Stamos describes it, he discovered his then-girlfriend Copley in bed with Tony Danza after over a year of dating. But in a statement to PEOPLE, Copley, 62, says their relationship was already over when the incident occurred.

"I wondered, 'What was John doing there?' because we had broken up," she told the outlet. "He just looked at me and shook his head, and walked away."

John Stamos, Teri Copley
John Stamos, Teri Copley

John Stamos and Teri Copley

Reps for Copley did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment.

In his memoir, Stamos recalled being "dumbstruck and goofy in love" at the start of their romance. He said he envisioned a future with her, but noticed a change as he spent more time away for work.

"I call her from the road, but the girl who breathlessly picked up the phone after one ring is now giving me busy signals and dial tones," Stamos writes. "When I get home, I call her throughout the day and into the evening. No response. Strange. We've gone from talking on the phone every few hours to silence."

Growing more concerned over time, he drove to her home in the valley and discovered an unfamiliar car parked in her driveway. Stamos investigated the guest house where he found a scene that he describes as "my worst nightmare."

"The blinds are closed, but the door is slightly open," he writes. "I take a peek inside and see four feet protruding from the shabby-chic, floral-print duvet that once kept me warm. My Tiny Dancer is in bed with Mr. Porsche Speedster. They are sleeping. I can't tell who he is, but I recognize Teri's ass barely covered by the sheets."

Teri Copley and John Stamos during John Stamos Sighting at Hollywood Palladium - April 1, 1985 at Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California, United States
Teri Copley and John Stamos during John Stamos Sighting at Hollywood Palladium - April 1, 1985 at Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California, United States

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images Teri Copley and John Stamos in 1985

Stamos wrote that he was angry as tears rolled down his cheeks, but opted to "run like hell," describing the situation as "not the time or place to save an ego that's shot to s---."

In a later chapter of his memoir, Stamos credits Danza's 1980s sitcom Who's the Boss? with helping Full House gain steady viewership during its first season.

"What can I say?" he writes. "Thanks, Tony Danza."

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