Rio Ferdinand and his wife, Kate, are reportedly set to participate in ITV's new "I'm a Celebrity" spin-off, titled "Wild Frontier." The show is scheduled to film in Canada next month. If these reports are accurate, the Ferdinands would be the first married couple to sign on for the program, a development described by sources as a significant acquisition for the show's producers.
Sources indicate that negotiations for the couple's involvement are in their final stages. They are expected to join other celebrities, including Boyzone members Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, on the program. Contestants on "Wild Frontier" will reportedly collaborate to tackle the series' well-known bushtucker trials.
While this would be Rio Ferdinand's debut in reality television, Kate Ferdinand has prior experience, having been a cast member of "The Only Way Is Essex." A source told The Sun that producers are "overjoyed" to have secured the Ferdinands, highlighting their "brilliant chemistry" and potential to be "great fun." The show is anticipated to be a "spectacular" event and a topic of considerable social media discussion.
This potential television appearance comes after Rio Ferdinand recently spoke about his initial hesitations regarding a new relationship and fatherhood when he met his wife. In an episode of Kate's podcast, "Blended," he recalled meeting Kate in late 2016 and realizing they had different desires for the future. Ferdinand, a former footballer, is father to Lorenz (20), Tate (17), and Tia (15) from his previous marriage to Rebecca, who passed away in 2015. He and Kate also have two younger children, Shae (2) and Cree (5).
Rio Ferdinand explained that upon meeting Kate, he had already made up his mind about not wanting more children. However, his love for her prompted him to adjust his perspective. He noted the significant changes Kate experienced during her pregnancies, admitting he found that period challenging and that she "turned into a different person" at times, which he did not initially like. Kate has also shared her discomfort with pregnancy, stating she felt unrecognizable to herself during those times.
Earlier in July, Rio Ferdinand reunited with his family after a six-week absence. He had been working in the United States for the World Cup, leaving Kate to manage their children in Dubai. An emotional video shared on Instagram captured the family's reunion, with their younger children, Cree and Shae, running to embrace their father. Kate also shared a clip of the affectionate reunion with her husband. She had previously posted about the challenges of solo parenting while Rio was away, including a countdown chart for his return and glimpses of her attempts to maintain her fitness routine amidst childcare responsibilities.
Kate Ferdinand has been open about the complexities of building a blended family. She moved into the family home with Rio in 2018, a year after they began dating, and they married in 2019. She has previously discussed the difficulties she faced in establishing a relationship with Rio's children, with Tate Ferdinand acknowledging a "turbulent relationship" in the past. Her podcast, "Blended," was created to offer support to others navigating similar family dynamics.