After confessing that she and husband Rio were struggling to have “private time” together and that a baby was not yet on the cards, Kate Ferdinand surprised fans last week when she announced she was expecting the couple’s first child together.
In a sweet video posted on both her and Rio’s Instagram accounts, the pair sat at the table with Rio’s three children – Lorenz, 13, Tate, 11, and nine-year-old Tia – to tell them their happy news, before the kids start screaming with happiness and jumping up and down.
Kate captioned the video, “The crazy house is about to get a little bit crazier... every time I watch this it makes me cry, the best reaction. Baby Ferdy we are all so excited to meet you”, while Rio wrote, “We got our wish, another Ferdinand en route!! @xkateferdinand I can’t wait to go through this whole pregnancy together and then bring our little human into this world. The reaction though.”
In the video, former TOWIE star Kate shows off her growing tummy and Tia can be heard shouting, “Sister, sister,” and we’re told the whole family would love a little girl. “Obviously, Kate and Rio would be delighted with a boy or a girl – having a problem-free pregnancy and a healthy baby are the most important things,” our source says.
“But all the kids would love a little sister, especially Tia and they think another girl will complete the family. Rio loves having his two boys, but he absolutely dotes on Tia and would love another little princess. This is Kate’s first pregnancy, so she’s happy with either, but thinks a girl would balance it out more, as it’s quite a boy heavy household. But, right now, she’s mostly feeling over the moon – she’s so excited about being pregnant.”
Check out: Kate and Rio Ferdinand's complete relationship timeline
Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand relationship timeline slider updated
1 of 26Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand's relationship timeline: Swipe through to see how their romance has blossomed
2 of 26January 2017: Rio's spotted leaving Kate's house
Rumours first started to circulate about a possible romance between footballer Rio Ferdinand and TOWIE star Kate Wright back in January 2017, after Rio was spotted leaving her house in Essex.Kate had recently split from her co-star Dan Edgar, while Rio's wife Rebecca sadly passed away in 2015 after a short battle with cancer.
3 of 26July 2017: Kate and Rio spotted out together
Kate and Rio officially went public with their relationship, after being spotted out for a romantic drink in London. Read more on that here.
4 of 26July 2017: Kate and Rio go Instagram official
Kate and Rio went Insta official when Rio shared an adorable family snap featuring Kate and his three kids wearing matching trainers.
5 of 26July 2017: Kate and Rio go Instagram official
Kate then shared a similar pic, confirming she's been spending time with Rio's family.
6 of 26August 2017: Kate makes her debut on Rio's Instagram
In August 2017, Rio shared a snap from his family holiday in Portugal featuring Kate bang in the middle. He captioned the photo, 'Decent day with the fam ❤ufe0f '
7 of 26September 2017: Kate quits showbiz to focus on new family
Kate Wright reveals she's quit showbiz and reality TV in order to focus on being a step-mum to Rio's three kids, Lorenz, Tate and Tia.She said, "I'm taking a step back from the public eye, I want to keep my life private as I lived my previous relationship on TOWIE, my priority right now is Rio and the family."
8 of 26September 2017: Kate and Rio move in together
Speculation starts to mount over Kate and Rio's living situation, as Kate posts a number of workout selfies from Rio's home gym.
9 of 26October 2017: Kate shares first couple picture with Rio
After months of keeping us waiting and teasing pictures on Instagram, Kate finally posted her and Rio's first couple picture. And it's hilarious.
10 of 26October 2017: Kate and Rio holiday in Dubai
In October, Kate and Rio enjoyed a romantic holiday together in Dubai.
11 of 26October 2017: Kate shares Halloween snap of Rio's kids
Seemingly stepping up to her role as step-mum, Kate shared a (slightly terrifying) picture of Rio's kids dressed up for Halloween on Instagram.
12 of 26November 2017: Kate and Rio prepare for first Christmas together
In November 2017, Rio posted his first picture of him and Kate together with a festive post on Instagram.
13 of 26December 2017: Rio shares ADORBS couple pic on Instagram
After months of keeping their romance under wraps, the couple are now living the PDA life all over social media.
14 of 26December 2017: Kate spends Christmas with Rio and his kids
Rio shared another family snap, revealing Kate was spending Christmas with him and his three children. And their matching PJs are TOO much.
15 of 26January 2018
To mark the end of 2017, Rio shared a post dedicated to Kate. Below the cute throwback snap he wrote, "To say 2017 has been a tough year would be a huge understatement. Some dark moments but brightness has been spread around me and mine by this one in many different forms. Christmas being just 1 example, all the thoughtful little details that make things that much better for all of us ud83dude18 little throwback pic."
16 of 26January 2018: Kate also shares touching throwback
Kate also took to Instagram to reflect on the last year, paying tribute to Rio and his family. She wrote, '2017.... the hardest but most rewarding year yet! Ups & downs but I have gained 4 of the most precious people ud83eudd17.... Happy new year everyone, I hope your year is filled with health & happiness, keep your loved ones close ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f .'
17 of 26January 2018: Kate and Rio in Disneyland
Kate and Rio are the definition of couple goals as they pay a visit to Disneyland Paris.
18 of 26January 2018: Kate and Rio's daughter Tia wear matching outfits
Just when we thought Kate and Rio couldn't get any more adorable, Kate posts a super sweet snap wearing a matching outfit with Rio's daughter Tia. Our hearts.
19 of 26March 2018: Kate pays tribute to Rio's children
She wrote, "Happy Mother's Day to my lovely mum ud83dudc97 I love you so much. Although I am lucky to have my mum here with me today I can't help but feel so overwhelmed and full of emotions that both Rio and the children don't have their mums with them today. "We are living in a house full of grief trying to get through and days like today just feel so tough. Celebrate your mother's and keep them close. ud83dudc97 & happy Mother's Day to all the step mums out there it's a hard role that I don't think anyone often gets the credit they deserve for it. If you aren't being celebrated make sure u know u r doing an amazing job."
20 of 26May 2018: Kate reveals Rio's kids have been begging them to have a baby
Kate revealed, "At the beginning, I could never imagine the kids would talk about the future with me. When I'd pick them up from school they'd say I was an aunt, then it turned to their dad's girlfriend and now they say I'm their step-mum. "On a daily basis, they'll ask 'when are you giving us a baby brother or sister?' I have to say 'not yet'. They'll say 'when do you want to get married, we want to be bridesmaids'."
21 of 26May 2018: Rio thanks ‘beautiful girlfriend’ Kate in heartfelt BAFTA speech
Rio picked up the award for best documentary at the ceremony following his touching documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, which focussed on dealing with grief and raising his three children after his wife died in 2015.He said, "I'm just pleased to say that this documentary has played a part in propelling me forward into a period of happiness in my life now where my kids are very happy. I've got a beautiful girlfriend now and we are making steps in the right direction."
22 of 26May 2018: Kate praises Rio after BAFTA win with beautiful post
She wrote, "My baby won a bafta!!! Overwhelmed with emotion for you... Feels strange to be happy through winning something through sadness, but I'm so happy for you, for raising awareness and helping others. You are amazing, here is to the future , but always keeping the past in our hearts. I love you ❤ufe0f."
23 of 26May 2018: Rio opened up about plans to marry Kate
Rio told the Daily Star, "We do talk about it. But I'm not going to sit here and give you a date."
24 of 26November 2018: Rio and Kate got ENGAGED!
Rio and Kate shared photos on Instagram, revealing that Rio had proposed to Kate on holiday in Abu Dhabi with his kids' approval. Rio wrote, ''She said yes ud83dudc8d ❤ufe0f How these 3 kids kept it a secret I'll never know ud83eudd37ud83cudffd♂ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤".Kate added, "The perfect end to our holiday ... How could the answer not be yes ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f."
25 of 26September 2019: Kate and Rio get married in Turkey
Just one-year after THAT cute proposal, Kate and Rio were joined by close family and friends as they tied the knot at a luxury hotel in Turkey.
26 of 26June 2020: Kate and Rio announce they are expecting a baby
In June 2020, Kate and Rio shared a super-cute video to their Instagram pages, revealing they are expecting their first child together. Rio's three children, Tia, Lorenz and Tate, were over the moon at the news, expressing their love in the video.
Kate and former footballer Rio married last September in Turkey and she officially became stepmum to Rio’s three children, whose mum Rebecca passed away from cancer in 2015. She has formed a close bond with the kids and recently spoke about how they wanted her to have a baby – but not just yet.
“Conversations have got a bit graphic with the kids. They’re saying, ‘When are you going to do it, then?’ It’s so funny,” she admitted. One of them said, ‘You’re not going to have [sex] in lockdown while we’re in the house, so I think you’re going to have it in October.’ I’m like, ‘I can’t believe I’m having this conversation!’” She added, “That’s just part of being a parent, isn’t it? Where is the love life? We’re getting a little bit of time here and there, but I wouldn’t call it couple time.”
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Over the past few months, fitness fanatic Kate, 29, and Rio, 41, have been focusing on their Ferdinand Fitness YouTube channel, doing live at-home workouts. However, in recent weeks, Kate hasn’t joined in, saying she had a bad back – and some viewers had started to speculate that Kate could be pregnant, especially as she had been doing easier routines before she stopped. But our source says she’ll be back to working out soon.
“Kate had been feeling really rough during the first three months, so couldn’t she join in,” we’re told. “But she’s hoping to be back soon and wants to work out throughout her pregnancy.
“She’s always said exercise is good for her mental health and she wants to stay fit.”
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