Kate Ferdinand has announced she is pregnant with husband Rio Ferdinand, after a devastating miscarriage last year.
The 31-year-old announced the joyous news on Instagram yesterday, writing: “We’ve been praying for you.”
It will be Kate’s second child with her Manchester United legend husband Rio – the couple already share two-year-old son Cree Ferdinand.
Kate is also step-mother to Rio’s children Tate, 13, Lorenz, 15, and Tia, 11, whom he shared with his late wife, Rebecca Elison.
Kate and Rio adorably announced the news to their children over the festive season in their Christmas Eve boxes, she said.
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Last July, the former TOWIE star shared the heartbreaking news that she had suffered a miscarriage.
She wrote at the time: “The last time I was in this hospital I was having Cree, but this time it was because our baby had no heartbeat in our 12 week scan and I had to have surgery.
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Kate and Rio Ferdinand. Credit: Instagram, @xkateferdinand
“We were so excited & planning a space for our new baby in our family, we just couldn’t wait to share our news with you all, but unfortunately sometimes life just doesn’t go as we plan.
“So much to say, but somehow I can’t find the words. Absolutely devastated & heartbroken …but couldn’t be more grateful for the hugs I got from my big(er) babies coming through the door when we arrived home.”
Kate has given a more in-depth update about her pregnancy in a mini podcast episode, in which she spoke candidly about the anxiety and worry she has felt following last year’s tragic baby loss.
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She said: “It’s a bit of a worry after what happened last summer with the miscarriage…
Kate also said: “In my last pregnancy when I had a miscarriage, I moaned constantly. I had a bad back, I had all these things going wrong.
“And then when obviously the miscarriage happened, I felt terrible for moaning, and thinking ‘Oh I now feel really ungrateful that I moaned the whole time’.”
She said that her main symptom so far is hunger and said she ‘could not stop eating’ in her first trimester.
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After last year’s heartbreak, the announcement that she and Rio are now pregnant with their second baby has been met with joy by their fellow celebrities and Kate’s 1.4m Instagram followers.
Thousands of comments have flooded her post, which is a black-and-white video of her holding a growing baby bump.
Holly Willoughby posted: “Aww congratulations to you both… that’s lovely news.”
Former Love Island star Montana Brown commented: “Stop this is amazing! Congratulations.”
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Michelle Keegan wrote: “Congratulations darling.”
Kate later posted a further update, writing: “Good morning, Bump pictures incoming. Thank you so much for all of your lovely messages, we are all just so excited!
“So happy we’ve shared this with you, I’ve found it hard keeping this one quiet. So much to talk to you all about so I’ve recorded a short life update for you … the link is in my bio & insta stories.”
Featured image: Instagram, @xkateferdinand
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4’s The Dog House is looking for people who want to adopt dogs in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
If you’ve always wanted to rescue a dog and provide a forever home to an animal in need, this might be your sign – Channel 4 is looking for Mancs to take part in the next series of The Dog House.
The programme is looking for local applicants who may be thinking of adopting a rescue dog, with rescue centres around Greater Manchester feeling the strain.
Rehoming charities have said they’re facing an unprecedented surge in demand.
So now the BAFTA-nominated show The Dog House is keen to hear from people in Manchester who are interested in rehoming a dog, particularly individuals and families with touching, heartfelt reasons for wanting to rehome.
Whether you’re a first-time dog owner, a family looking for a new companion, or looking for a new furry friend for your existing pets, The Dog House and its chosen rescue shelter can help.
The show launched in 2019 and is filmed at Woodgreen Pets Charity, shining a light and raising awareness for the joys and realities of rescuing dogs.
Channel 4’s The Dog House is looking for people to adopt dogs in Manchester
Around 90% of dog owners say their pet improves their life, 86% report being physically healthier, and 88% say it benefits their mental wellbeing, according to data shared by Channel 4.
Channel 4 has said that more than 47,000 people contacted Dogs Trust about giving up their dogs last year alone, with the RSPCA reporting that the number of dogs in their care has doubled since 2020.
The Dog House team is now seeking people in Manchester who may be thinking about adopting a rescue dog – whether for companionship, support, wellbeing, or simply the joy of bringing a four-legged friend into their life.
If you or someone you know is considering adopting a dog, you can apply HERE or email [email protected].
The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed
Danny Jones
Yes, ballroom lovers, it’s here: the full lineup of dancers for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’ tour has finally and officially been revealed.
It feels like fans have been waiting ages to find out the entire roster for the Strictly Live tour next year, with only limited waves having been released thus far.
However, the patience has paid off, and we now know who’ll be starring both on the stage and on down on the floors of some of Britain’s most beloved venues, including our very own AO Arena.
You can see the latest raft of additions down below.
As you can see, the final four couples who complete the next Strictly Live tour lineup for 2026 are social media personality George Clarke, Emmerdale face Lewis Cope, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and another actor in Layton Williams.
This quality quartet will be paired up with Alexis Warr, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley and Nikita Kuzmin, respectively; it has already been confirmed that much-loved trio Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be returning as judges, with Janette Manrara remaining as host.
Strictly‘s still ongoing season – the 23rd in the show’s history – is due to conclude this weekend, following the final on Saturday night (20 December), and it remains to be seen which of the current cast will be crowned champion, with several of those above and below now signed up for the live tour.
The rest of the Strictly Live dancers for 2026 here:
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka ‘Nitro’
Alex Kingston
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Balvinder Sopal
George Clarke
La Voix
Chris Robshaw
Ellie Goldstein
Thomas Skinner
Vicky Pattison
Stefan Dennis
Ross King
Karen Carney
Lewis Cope
Amber Davies
It isn’t guaranteed that each of these contestants will be taking part in EVERY single one of the tour dates, but either way, you’ve still got ‘The Professionals’ to come next spring, too.
The annual Strictly Come Dancing UK tour has become a firm fan favourite, not only among die-hard viewers of the BBC show but lovers of live entertainment in general.
Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and others confirmed the dates for their live shows earlier this year, with the AO set to host the two days’ worth of moves across Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February.
Hosting both normal evening shows as well as matinee slots, it’s simply up to you at what time of day you fancy panto-booing Craig…
If you’re interested in securing tickets for the typically fabulous festivals, you can grab yours HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
30th January 2023 
