Kate Ferdinand hits back at follower who criticised her for calling Rio's kids her 'family'
Kate is a step-mum to Rio's three children
Former TOWIE star Kate Ferdinand has hit back at one of her Instagram followers, after they left a critical comment on her recent post alongside her husband Rio Ferdinand, and her three step-children.
Kate, who is expecting her first child with Rio later this year, shared a throwback photo of herself swimming in the sea whilst on holiday, telling fans, 'One of my favourite days of this year, out at sea with the family .... no worries, happy & stress free 🌊💙 💫 #specialmemories'. (sic)
Although the majority of comments on Kate's photo were positive, one stood out to the mum-to-be, which read, 'Ooof. Rebeccas family. I’m all for stepmoms etc. And you’ve stepped into a massive hole. But those kids are Rebeccas. And they’ll not thank you for saying otherwise xx apart from that you are a lovely lovely girl. But, those wedding letters to “your” kids was terrible. Imagine if you were her looking down, or her mum n dad... not cool. Xx'. (sic)
Clearly not happy by the comment, Kate hit back saying, 'Wow. Very very narrow minded. Rebecca is there mum & forever will be – a mother can never be replaced. But let me clarify WE ARE family, families aren’t just about blood, but who is there for us and loves us unconditionally.
'Please think before you speak, are all foster & adopted children family less?! Of course not. Family is about love and choosing to be there for one another.' (sic)
Kate has formed a strong bond with Rio's three children, nine-year-old Tia, 12-year-old Tate, and 14-year-old Lorenz, after their mum Rebecca sadly passed away back in 2015, with Rio even involving them all in his proposal to Kate in 2018.
Kate and Rio also involved the children in their pregnancy reveal earlier this year.
Sharing the cutest video to her Instagram page, Kate filmed Lorenz, Tate and Tia's adorable reaction, leaving fans in tears. She captioned the video with, 'The crazy house is about to get a little bit crazier 🙊... every time I watch this it makes me cry, the best reaction 😢❤️🤗 Baby Ferdy we are all so excited to meet you 💗💙'. (sic)
The couple, who married back in September 2019, then confirmed they are expecting a baby boy during a lavish gender reveal party in the Summer.
Check out Kate and Rio Ferdinand's relationship timeline below:
Kate Wright and Rio Ferdinand's relationship timeline: Swipe through to see how their romance has blossomed
January 2017: Rio's spotted leaving Kate's house
Rumours first started to circulate about a possible romance between footballer Rio Ferdinand and TOWIE star Kate Wright back in January 2017, after Rio was spotted leaving her house in Essex.
Kate had recently split from her co-star Dan Edgar, while Rio's wife Rebecca sadly passed away in 2015 after a short battle with cancer.
July 2017: Kate and Rio spotted out together
Kate and Rio officially went public with their relationship, after being spotted out for a romantic drink in London.
Read more on that here.
July 2017: Kate and Rio go Instagram official
Kate and Rio went Insta official when Rio shared an adorable family snap featuring Kate and his three kids wearing matching trainers.
July 2017: Kate and Rio go Instagram official
Kate then shared a similar pic, confirming she's been spending time with Rio's family.
August 2017: Kate makes her debut on Rio's Instagram
In August 2017, Rio shared a snap from his family holiday in Portugal featuring Kate bang in the middle.
He captioned the photo, 'Decent day with the fam ❤️ '
September 2017: Kate quits showbiz to focus on new family
Kate Wright reveals she's quit showbiz and reality TV in order to focus on being a step-mum to Rio's three kids, Lorenz, Tate and Tia.
She said, "I'm taking a step back from the public eye, I want to keep my life private as I lived my previous relationship on TOWIE, my priority right now is Rio and the family."
September 2017: Kate and Rio move in together
Speculation starts to mount over Kate and Rio's living situation, as Kate posts a number of workout selfies from Rio's home gym.
October 2017: Kate shares first couple picture with Rio
After months of keeping us waiting and teasing pictures on Instagram, Kate finally posted her and Rio's first couple picture. And it's hilarious.
October 2017: Kate and Rio holiday in Dubai
In October, Kate and Rio enjoyed a romantic holiday together in Dubai.
October 2017: Kate shares Halloween snap of Rio's kids
Seemingly stepping up to her role as step-mum, Kate shared a (slightly terrifying) picture of Rio's kids dressed up for Halloween on Instagram.
November 2017: Kate and Rio prepare for first Christmas together
In November 2017, Rio posted his first picture of him and Kate together with a festive post on Instagram.
December 2017: Rio shares ADORBS couple pic on Instagram
After months of keeping their romance under wraps, the couple are now living the PDA life all over social media.
December 2017: Kate spends Christmas with Rio and his kids
Rio shared another family snap, revealing Kate was spending Christmas with him and his three children. And their matching PJs are TOO much.
January 2018
To mark the end of 2017, Rio shared a post dedicated to Kate. Below the cute throwback snap he wrote, "To say 2017 has been a tough year would be a huge understatement. Some dark moments but brightness has been spread around me and mine by this one in many different forms. Christmas being just 1 example, all the thoughtful little details that make things that much better for all of us 😘 little throwback pic."
January 2018: Kate also shares touching throwback
Kate also took to Instagram to reflect on the last year, paying tribute to Rio and his family.
She wrote, '2017.... the hardest but most rewarding year yet! Ups & downs but I have gained 4 of the most precious people 🤗.... Happy new year everyone, I hope your year is filled with health & happiness, keep your loved ones close ❤️❤️ .'
January 2018: Kate and Rio in Disneyland
Kate and Rio are the definition of couple goals as they pay a visit to Disneyland Paris.
January 2018: Kate and Rio's daughter Tia wear matching outfits
Just when we thought Kate and Rio couldn't get any more adorable, Kate posts a super sweet snap wearing a matching outfit with Rio's daughter Tia. Our hearts.
March 2018: Kate pays tribute to Rio's children
She wrote, "Happy Mother's Day to my lovely mum 💗 I love you so much. Although I am lucky to have my mum here with me today I can't help but feel so overwhelmed and full of emotions that both Rio and the children don't have their mums with them today.
"We are living in a house full of grief trying to get through and days like today just feel so tough. Celebrate your mother's and keep them close. 💗 & happy Mother's Day to all the step mums out there it's a hard role that I don't think anyone often gets the credit they deserve for it. If you aren't being celebrated make sure u know u r doing an amazing job."
May 2018: Kate reveals Rio's kids have been begging them to have a baby
Kate revealed, "At the beginning, I could never imagine the kids would talk about the future with me. When I'd pick them up from school they'd say I was an aunt, then it turned to their dad's girlfriend and now they say I'm their step-mum.
"On a daily basis, they'll ask 'when are you giving us a baby brother or sister?' I have to say 'not yet'. They'll say 'when do you want to get married, we want to be bridesmaids'."
May 2018: Rio thanks ‘beautiful girlfriend’ Kate in heartfelt BAFTA speech
Rio picked up the award for best documentary at the ceremony following his touching documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, which focussed on dealing with grief and raising his three children after his wife died in 2015.
He said, "I'm just pleased to say that this documentary has played a part in propelling me forward into a period of happiness in my life now where my kids are very happy. I've got a beautiful girlfriend now and we are making steps in the right direction."
May 2018: Kate praises Rio after BAFTA win with beautiful post
She wrote, "My baby won a bafta!!! Overwhelmed with emotion for you... Feels strange to be happy through winning something through sadness, but I'm so happy for you, for raising awareness and helping others. You are amazing, here is to the future , but always keeping the past in our hearts. I love you ❤️."
May 2018: Rio opened up about plans to marry Kate
Rio told the Daily Star, "We do talk about it. But I'm not going to sit here and give you a date."
November 2018: Rio and Kate got ENGAGED!
Rio and Kate shared photos on Instagram, revealing that Rio had proposed to Kate on holiday in Abu Dhabi with his kids' approval. Rio wrote, ''She said yes 💍 ❤️ How these 3 kids kept it a secret I'll never know 🤷🏽♂️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤".
Kate added, "The perfect end to our holiday ... How could the answer not be yes ❤️❤️."
September 2019: Kate and Rio get married in Turkey
Just one-year after THAT cute proposal, Kate and Rio were joined by close family and friends as they tied the knot at a luxury hotel in Turkey.
June 2020: Kate and Rio announce they are expecting a baby
In June 2020, Kate and Rio shared a super-cute video to their Instagram pages, revealing they are expecting their first child together. Rio's three children, Tia, Lorenz and Tate, were over the moon at the news, expressing their love in the video.
July 2020: Kate's fans became convinced of her baby's gender after her sweet bump snap
After Kate posted a holiday snap taken by step-daughter Tia in July 2020, her fans became convinced she was having a little girl! Due to an old wives tale, Kate followers think she could be having a girl, because of where her bump is sitting. One wrote in the comments, 'Looks like u r having a girl💗💗💗,' as another added, 'You definitely have a girl bump! Enjoy every moment x.'
Although Kate and Rio have never officially confirmed when their baby boy is due, it's understood Kate's due date is around December.
Find out which other celebs are expecting babies in 2020 right here.