Rio Ferdinand’s son Tate admits he ‘hated’ stepmum Kate and lied to famous dad

Kate Ferdinand has been married to Rio since 2019 and the couple share two children together, but the reality TV star has been open about her struggles with Rio’s three children

Kate and Rio Ferdinand are thriving as a blended family today, but their journey hasn’t been without its challenges. The former Manchester United and England defender wed the ex-TOWIE star in September 2019 and they now have two children together — Cree, five, and Shae, two.

However, Rio was previously married and had three children with his late wife, Rebecca Ellison, who tragically passed away in 2015 following a battle with breast cancer. Kate has been candid about her early difficulties when it came to bonding with Rio’s eldest children.

Now Tate, 17, has confessed to deliberately making life tough for his father and stepmother during those initial stages. He disclosed that he fabricated stories at the start, alleging the now 35-year-old was encountering strange men.

He also wrongly claimed she had trapped him and his siblings in a room.

However, speaking on this week’s episode of Kate’s Blended podcast, Tate acknowledged he had felt “so guilty” about developing affection for Kate. He explained he believed his allegiance should remain with his deceased mother, reports the Mirror.

Both Kate and Tate looked back on the “hell of a journey” they’ve experienced over the years during their conversation. He openly admitted to despising her at certain points.

Kate also recounted the incident that sparked Rio’s eldest children’s jealousy. She described how a delivery containing a gift for the former footballer prompted Tate to accuse her of ‘meeting random men on the drive’.

The former reality TV personality explained: “Once I got a phone for Rio and the kids were asleep… someone came to drop it on the drive and they’re a man.

“Tate told people that when dad’s not there, I’m meeting men on the drive. So then a few people thought that when Rio was out, I was meeting random guys on the drive.”

Tate then confessed he simply “had a hater in the house”. He said: “I used to be so jealous. Not jealous, I don’t even know the word, but I would try and like get into all of your business.”

Kate recounted another tale, detailing how she had been attempting to conceal a Valentine’s Day balloon delivery from Rio’s children. She described the situation as having ‘spiralled out of control’ when the kids tried to claim their new step mum had ‘locked them in a room’.

Tate attempted to justify his behaviour, telling Kate: “I was just in such a confused state of mind. I didn’t know what was going on. Dad didn’t really like surprise us with things like that.

“So that was like a bit of a weird thing like, “why am I being told to stay in here for five minutes?

” You come back as if nothing’s happened.”

And he later added: “I remember when I hated you. I hated you. And then we might do something good and then I would flip straight away back into loving mode and then I’d have to almost lie about what I did before to get myself out of it.

“I felt so guilty for liking Kate and loving Kate. I felt guilty for my mum’s family, for my mum.”

These emotions persisted for several years, but Tate now concedes that they share a fantastic relationship. And Kate confessed she cherishes the memory of the moment she felt their bond beginning to grow.

“I remember the day it changed, and you were like ‘that’s my step mum’, I was like ‘oh my god, I’m not his aunt anymore’.”

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