Kate Ferdinand hits back at claims she ‘loves Cree more than her other kids’

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.

Kate and Rio officially went public with their relationship, after being spotted out for a romantic drink in London. Read more on that here.

Kate and Rio went Insta official when Rio shared an adorable family snap featuring Kate and his three kids wearing matching trainers.

Kate then shared a similar pic, confirming she's been spending time with Rio's family.

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 ❤ufe0f '

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."

Speculation starts to mount over Kate and Rio's living situation, as Kate posts a number of workout selfies from Rio's home gym.

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.

In October, Kate and Rio enjoyed a romantic holiday together in Dubai.

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.

In November 2017, Rio posted his first picture of him and Kate together with a festive post on Instagram.

After months of keeping their romance under wraps, the couple are now living the PDA life all over social media.

Rio shared another family snap, revealing Kate was spending Christmas with him and his three children. And their matching PJs are TOO much.

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 ud83dude18 little throwback pic."

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 ud83eudd17.... Happy new year everyone, I hope your year is filled with health & happiness, keep your loved ones close ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f .'

Kate and Rio are the definition of couple goals as they pay a visit to Disneyland Paris.

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.

She wrote, "Happy Mother's Day to my lovely mum ud83dudc97 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. ud83dudc97 & 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."

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'."

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."

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 ❤ufe0f."

Rio told the Daily Star, "We do talk about it. But I'm not going to sit here and give you a date."

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 ud83dudc8d ❤ufe0f How these 3 kids kept it a secret I'll never know ud83eudd37ud83cudffd‍♂ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤ufe0f❤".Kate added, "The perfect end to our holiday ... How could the answer not be yes ❤ufe0f❤ufe0f."

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.

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.