BEN AND JACKIE FODEN

Celebrating their daughter’s First birthday, Ben and Jackie Foden open up about their marriage secrets, blended Families and adding to their brood

Getting hitched just two weeks after meeting may seem rash to some, but not to Ben and Jackie Foden. After being introduced to each other by a mutual friend in the summer of 2019, the smitten couple said their vows onboard a luxury yacht barely 14 days later – and are now celebrating their daughter Farrah’s first birthday.

Inviting us to the adorable tot’s celebrations in New York, rugby player Ben, 35, and businesswoman Jackie, 36, seem blissfully happy with life in the US.

“Jackie has taken to motherhood so well,” Ben beams.

“We might have another baby next year,” adds Jackie. “Ben’s kids idolise him.”

Ben, who famously appeared in The X Factor: Celebrity as part of boy band Try Star along with Thom Evans and Levi Davis, is also dad to Aoife Belle, nine, and Tadhg, six, with his former wife, singer Una Healy. The children live in Ireland with their mum, but have spent time in the US with Ben and Jackie – and it’s clear their blended family is a success.

Here, the besotted pair pop the

champers to celebrate Farrah’s birthday at a swanky hotel as they reveal their desire for more kids and why they’re thrilled to prove the doubters wrong…

Hey Ben and Jackie! How did Farrah enjoy her birthday party? Jackie: She had an amazing time! I couldn’t get over how beautifully it was decorated. She received so many gifts! Ben: Farrah loved it. There was a little teepee which meant that people who hadn’t been able to meet her could sit in there with her.

Tell us about her special day… Jackie: We got her a cake from a cool bakery and some balloons. We invited everyone we knew who was vaccinated. Ben: It was more of a brunch. I had a game the next day and my rugby team mates came. We were annoyed we couldn’t join in. All of Jackie’s friends were making the most of the mimosas [laughs].

What did you get Farrah?

Ben: We’re talking about getting her an ipad, but our front room is littered with gifts from guests.

Are you big on celebrations?

Ben: Jackie is.

Jackie: Well, we didn’t have a wedding and we got pregnant so quickly. This was the first big party we’ve thrown. Everyone got to meet Farrah for the first time after a whole year on this planet.

Can you believe she’s a year old? Jackie: It’s a miracle considering the amount she puts in her mouth – we kept her alive for a year! [laughs]

Has she got a real personality now? Ben: Everyone at the party said she is a mini me with Jackie’s personality. Jackie sees a lot of my son Tadhg in her too.

Does she love having big siblings? Ben: They adore her. We went back at Christmas and they played with her. You could see how much her development had come along.

Jackie: She started crawling.

Ben: And clapping. She comes on in leaps and bounds when she’s around them.

Jackie: She lights up around her brother and sister. Whenever they are on the phone she comes running. We’re looking forward to having them all summer

again. When they’re in school they are with their mum in Ireland and in the holidays they are with us.

Does that work well for you all? Ben: Yeah, it gives Una a bit of time to herself if she wants to go on holiday.

Have Tadhg and Aoife adapted well to being big siblings? Jackie: Tadhg especially. He loves being a big brother.

Ben: Aoife is at the age now where she’s very into her friends and her phone. They’ve just started sports as well, which is nice to see.

Are either of them into rugby? Ben: No. But Tadhg is the fastest boy in his year!

Is there any sibling rivalry?

Ben: They’re pretty good when they’re here. Aoife and Tadhg are thick as thieves. But they argue quite a bit.

Are you proud to have a blended family?

Ben: Yeah, Una and I have come a long way since our divorce. Our main priority is raising two healthy and loved children. Una’s always been a great mum. I’m trying to be as hands-on as I can, but I am obviously over here with Jackie. We wanted to start a family, which obviously happened really quickly and people questioned it. But Jackie came into my life when I really needed her. We have something really beautiful here. Now we have little Faffs to cement that and she’s been nothing but a dream.

What do you love most about being parents?

Jackie: I’ve always wanted kids,

I love it. It fills me with joy.

Ben: Mummy is definitely Farrah’s favourite.

Jackie: I love seeing the person she’s becoming.

Ben: I love watching Jackie. She’s such a good mum. She worries that Farrah will grow up not liking her because she’s a bit strict, but their relationship is really good. Farrah adores her.

Jackie, what kind of dad would you describe Ben as? Jackie: He’s really strong. He makes me feel like everyone is going to be OK, which I love because I worry all the time. We equal each other out. He’s so affectionate with Farrah. They play together and he’s up at night with me.

Would you say you share parenting duties equally? Ben: No, it’s all Jackie!

Jackie: In the beginning it was very equal. But the rugby season just started so he’s been working and when he comes home I can see how physically exhausted he is. We do have a nanny.

Where are you based now? Jackie: We were living in my parent’s summer house in