‘Work on yourselves first – then your kids benefit’
They announced they were divorcing in 2016, less than a year after welcoming daughter Summer – so Rebecca Adlington and Harry Needs raised eyebrows when it was revealed they were spending lockdown together with her new boyfriend, Andrew Parsons, and Harry’s friend, Michael Gunning.
Recent reports suggested the sports star had invited her ex to stay with her so he could spend more time with Summer, five, with Harry sharing a photo of himself with Rebecca, Andrew, fellow swimmer
Michael, and Summer, captioning it, “Couldn’t wish to be stuck with a better bunch of people.”
And while a spokesperson for Rebecca, 31, was keen to point out it isn’t a permanent set-up, the Olympic champion recently admitted she had become “best friends” with her ex since their divorce, confessing, “I’m so grateful that we’ve remained close; he’s a fantastic dad. I think the reason we get on so well is because Summer comes first.”
And Harry, 28 – who recently came out as bisexual, but denies that he and Michael are in a relationship – wrote in an upbeat post, “Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there that embody the duty to inspire, teach, care and love their children… I will cherish every single moment with this kid until my last breath.”
But Harry has admitted their blended family has taken time and effort, telling one online fan, “Although me and @beckadlington are best friends now, we worked really hard on ourselves first. The first step to success in co-parenting is to let go of the past… Always think about how your kids will benefit or what is best for them and them only.”