Rio Ferdinand appeared on Thursday’s This Morning to talk about his new book, and spoke about his relationship with Kate Wright for the first time, saying he’s “really happy”.
After losing his wife, Rebecca, in 2015, Rio has filmed a documentary and written a book about his experiences and dealing with loss.
He began dating Kate at the beginning of this year and although they kept their romance under the radar at first, they have started to be a bit more open, sharing pictures on social media.
Read more: Rio Ferdinand reveals his grief as he told children their mum was dying
Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield this morning about his new book, Thinking Out Loud, Rio shared small snippets of his relationship with Kate.
Holly asked him: “You talk about how unexpectedly you got to a certain place in your life where you found happiness again personally for yourself. It must be something you have to consider your children in as well?”
Rio replied: “Well, I went and saw Darren Clarke the golfer and there were so many parallels in our lives, athletes being away, and he just sat there and said: ‘You will be happy again, you will be smiling again, you will be as happy as you were before’, and for someone who’s been through the same walk as me to hear that really hit home.
“It made me open up, because before that I wasn’t capable of opening up to anybody emotionally. I didn’t see it, I wouldn’t accept it, I didn’t want to bring anyone around my children, whereas now it made me feel there is an opportunity to be happy again.
“I’m really happy now,” he continued. “The kids are the happiest they’ve been and I’m in a relationship and it’s going well. My kids deserve to be happy.”
When Phillip asked if it was “Tricky for Kate” coming in and navigating the situation, Rio replied that they’d made it all about the kids.
“They have to be part of that conversation so there’s not been any stage going into this relationship where they’ve not been involved.
“As long as they feel they’re involved and they’re in that conversation I think there’s a chance you can get to this place of happiness.”
Read more: Rio Ferdinand and Kate Wright taking a huge step in their relationship?
Rio also talked about how he’s making sure he opens up more now as he has regrets over not telling Rebecca he loved her often enough.
“They’re the type of things that would keep you up at night and stick around my mind.
“In my relationship now and with my children, I don’t want to make that same mistake again because, god forbid, if something were to happen I want to be comfortable and know that the kids know exactly how I feel.
“That’s a work in progress right now.”