Earlier this year, it was reported that Kate and Rio Ferdinand were planning to uproot from their £4million mansion in Kent and start a new life in the Middle East, with an insider telling heat at the time that Kate was looking forward to a fresh start.
But now it seems their ambitious plans are up in the air, as we’re told Kate’s enthusiasm to relocate has changed. While footballer-turned-pundit Rio, 46, is still pouring his energy into making it happen, an insider tells heat that podcaster Kate, 34, has reservations.
‘Kate and Rio are still undecided about their future and where they’re going to live,’ says the source. ‘It was actually Rio who was pushing more for the Dubai move – he’s said he wants to earn as much money as possible while he can, and feels they will have a better quality of life over there. But Kate is torn as she’s built up a strong support network over here and she’s getting lots of work opportunities.’
Another huge factor for Kate is their children. The couple share son Cree, four, and daughter Shae, two, together, while Kate is also stepmum to Lorenz, 18, Tate, 16, and Tia, 13 – Rio’s children with his late wife Rebecca Ellison, who died from cancer in 2015.
Our insider says that Kate is particularly worried about what it would mean for their eldest sons, who are both currently pursuing football careers in the UK. Lorenz recently signed to Havant & Waterlooville FC on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion, while Tate is on the books at Brighton.
‘Kate would feel so guilty leaving Lorenz – and Tate if he decided to stay – back in England, while the rest of them went off to the Middle East,’ says our insider. ‘Kate worries so much about being a good stepmum. While it may be right for them as a couple, as well as the younger three children, the older boys are settled in the UK and she’s not sure she wants to leave them.’
The source continues, ‘Rio is a lot tougher than Kate – he says Lorenz will be enjoying life as a young professional footballer – he’ll want the perks that come with that and won’t be worried about his family living somewhere like Dubai. He can come out to visit, just like Tate could, if he decided to stay in the UK, and nothing is permanent. And they would always have a base in England that all the family can use.’
Rio and Kate’s love story started back in 2016, and the pair went Instagram-official later that year. Kate decided to quit her role on TOWIE to focus on her blended family. She and Rio tied the knot in Turkey in 2019, and the Emirates hold special memories for them both, as they first met in Dubai through mutual friends, with Rio later popping the question in nearby Abu Dhabi.
heat previously reported that Dubai seemed like the perfect location for the couple, with a source saying. ‘Rio has a lot of business opportunities in the Middle East, and he can see how lucrative it could be for them.’
In May, Rio announced he was quitting his decade-long punditry job with TNT Sports, and hinted about future opportunities. He wrote on Instagram, ‘I am excited about what the future holds – spending more time with my family, and focusing on Rio Ferdinand Presents [his online football entertainment platform] and my other business interests.’
But while Rio may believe it’s the right move for them, we’re told Kate’s heart remains firmly with her family’s needs. ‘She feels Rio is being a bit selfish,’ our source says. ‘She also feels that she’ll be judged a lot more for their family decisions than Rio would be. It’s a real dilemma.’