Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate Ferdinand are set to appear on ITV's new I'm A Celebrity spin-off show Wild Frontier, which films in Canada next month. The couple are reportedly the big money signing for the network and would become the first married couple to sign for the reality series.
Bosses are said to be delighted to land the Ferdinands as they enter the final stages of negotiating their deal. The couple will join Boyzone stars Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy on the show. Contestants will team up to compete in a series of iconic bushtucker trials.
The show marks the first foray into reality television for former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, 47. His wife Kate Ferdinand, 35, previously starred for years as part of the cast of The Only Way Is Essex.
A source told the Sun that bosses are overjoyed to have landed the Ferdinands and called it a real coup for the show. The source added that they have brilliant chemistry, are great fun, and will give viewers a chance to see Rio Ferdinand away from football chat. The source said ITV is still in talks with other names for the show, which promises to be spectacular and a real social media talker. The Daily Mail contacted representatives for Rio and Kate Ferdinand for comment.
Family dynamics and podcast admissions
Their upcoming appearance follows candid admissions on Kate Ferdinand's Blended podcast, where Rio Ferdinand admitted he didn't want another relationship let alone more kids when they met. The pair first met in late 2016 and began dating in 2017, two years after the death of Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca, who died aged 34 in 2015.
The couple are co-parents to Tate, 17, Lorenz, 20, and Tia, 15, from Rio Ferdinand's marriage to Rebecca. They are also parents to son Cree, 5, and daughter Shae, 2, together. Kate Ferdinand moved into the family home in 2018, and the couple married a year later.
During the podcast episode, Kate Ferdinand asked her husband if he wanted more children when they first met. Rio Ferdinand replied, "I'd made my mind up. When I met you I had three kids, didn't even want a relationship let alone kids."
Rio Ferdinand explained that he adapted because he was in love and realized she was young and wanted her own biological children. He said, "Something that drives you to making that decision and changing your mind is that look at what she's putting herself through for me and the kids, and I'm gonna go. I can't. Nah. I can't. I couldn't do that." He added that he wouldn't change his decision.
Rio Ferdinand also discussed how his wife was difficult to be with during pregnancy, saying she turned into a different person. He said, "Everything's a problem. Everything's an overreaction. Everything's like heightened." Kate Ferdinand admitted, "I didn't like being pregnant. I just didn't. I felt like I didn't recognize myself."
Reunion after World Cup assignment
The podcast discussion comes after Rio Ferdinand reunited with his wife and children after a very long six weeks apart in an emotional Instagram video. Rio Ferdinand had been working in the United States for the World Cup, leaving Kate Ferdinand to look after their family in Dubai.
In a clip shared online, the family greeted Rio Ferdinand as his taxi arrived home. Youngest son Cree ran and jumped into his arms alongside daughter Shae, shouting, "Daddy!! I've got my daddy here." Daughter Tia, wearing a swimming costume and skirt, hugged her father before Kate Ferdinand shared a kiss and hug with her husband.
A second clip showed Kate Ferdinand, wearing a white and black polka dot bikini, hugging Rio Ferdinand as he kissed her head. Writing on Instagram, she said, "'I've got my dad here'. A very long six weeks without our @rioferdy5, we've all missed him so much. Couldn't be happier to have him home."
Challenges of a blended family
Kate Ferdinand confessed she was trying to hold it together while solo parenting during her husband's four weeks away. She shared a countdown chart created for Daddy's return, alongside photos of craft activities, watching England, and working out in the gym.
In her Instagram post, Kate Ferdinand captioned a picture with, "Daddy's been gone for 4 weeks, mummy's trying to hold it together." She admitted she had not been consistent with her gym routine but was trying to squeeze in exercise when she could while managing her family and work schedule.
Behind the scenes, Kate Ferdinand has spoken about the immense challenges of navigating her role as a step-parent. In a recent interview, Tate discussed the turbulent relationship he had with Kate Ferdinand when she first moved into the home, describing his father getting mad and speaking about his childhood trauma. Kate Ferdinand created her Blended podcast to support parents navigating the complex and isolating reality of building a blended family unit.
