Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Rio: My children are finally happy again
BUDDING ROMANCE
Widower Rio, and girlfriend Kate Wright
RIO Ferdinand says he is “really happy” with girlfriend Kate Wright, revealing his children are the “happiest they’ve been” since his wife died.
The former Manchester Utd ace has had to cope with the death of wife Rebecca Ellison and his mum in recent years.
But he has bounced back and now says he is in a great place with his new girlfriend saying: “I’m really happy, the kids are happy, the happiest they’ve been. I’m in a relationship and it’s going well.”
Rio also told how his children have been “part of every stage” of his relationship with ex-towie star Kate.
The BT Sport pundit started dating the 26-yearold reality TV star earlier this year and has admitted their romance wouldn’t have got off the ground if
Lorenz, 11, Tate, nine, and Tia, six, didn’t like her.
The 38-year-old appeared on ITV’S This Morning, minus his wedding ring for the first time. He said: “My kids deserve to be happy. They have to be part of that conversation [about my relationships].
“There has not been any stage in this relationship they have not been part of.”
This is Rio’s first relationship since Rebecca – who he married in 2009 – tragically died two years ago, at 34, from breast cancer.
His mum Janice St Fort died this year, aged 58, following a long battle with cancer.
Speaking about dealing with grief, Rio said: “I’ve told them [his children] from the beginning that it’s OK to cry. I’ve tried to stress to them... it doesn’t make you any less of a boy or a girl. I’ve realised it does release a lot of stress and emotion.”
I’ve told them it’s OK to cry. I stressed it doesn’t make you less of a boy or girl RIO FERDINAND ON TEACHING HIS CHILDREN ABOUT GRIEF
IT’S great that ex-england star Rio Ferdinand has opened up about his new partner.
Saying that former Towie cast member Kate Wright has made him and his children the happiest they’ve been since his wife and their mother died three years will strike a chord.
It shows that the bereaved can move on, even after a devastating death, but it isn’t easy.
Those rebuilding their families after a tragedy deserve our sympathy and support.