Model Abbey Clancy opens up about her ‘fifth’ baby, getting emotional about her marriage to ex-footie star Peter – and why their hilarious and candid podcast is like ‘therapy’
There’s nothing Abbey Clancy enjoys more than entertaining the nation with her often hilarious – and intimate – insights into her marriage to retired footballer Peter Crouch. The couple have been married for 14 years this month and together for almost 20, and their refreshing mix of brutal honesty and genuine affection on their The Therapy Crouch podcast has turned them into one of the nation’s most-loved celebrity couples.
Off air, Abbey, 39, tells OK! they’re no different – and she loves their chaotic life with their children Sophia, 14, Liberty, 10, Johnny, seven, and Jack, six. In this exclusive chat with OK! to celebrate her latest fashion collaboration, the 2013 Strictly champ reveals what brought her and Peter, 44, to tears recently, and who she thinks will win the battle over another baby…
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Hi Abbey! Your podcast forces you to put yourselves out there… any regrets?
No! I’m so grateful for it – it gives us a chance to sit down and reminisce, talk about our life and the things we’ve been through, and have a laugh at the same time. What is it about you and Peter that keeps people tuning in – and loving you? It’s authentic. None of our friends listen to the podcast because they say they get enough of us anyway, because that’s totally who we are!
I’m actually glad about that though, it means we can talk about them all on the podcast and they’ll never know! When we decided to do it we said it has to be unfiltered and real, and if you look at anything in life, the things that are authentic are the things that last, and work. It’s like therapy for us because it’s a great way to connect and talk about life, experiences and memories.
That’s a lovely bonus!
Yes. We just did something on “16 questions to make you fall in love all over again” and Pete and I were both sobbing, because it was just lovely. Life is stressful enough and so many people are going through awful things, so if we can make them laugh for 45 minutes, that’s great.
Does it bother you that so much is written about you from the podcast?
Well, it’s very inconsistent, isn’t it? One minute we’re living separate lives and the next we’re having a fifth baby! I don’t read the stories though, I only learn about them when I get a call from a relative asking, “Are you and Pete splitting up?” or “Are you having another baby?”
You’ve done a festival edit for F&F – we didn’t know you were a festival lover…
Oh, I love a festival! We both do. Our friends John and Caroline [Giddings] organise the Isle of Wight Festival and we have a fantastic time. And of course, I also want to look great, hence the edit. You look amazing in the pieces… Ah, thank you. It was about choosing pieces that anyone could wear, and look and feel great in. I personally hate being cold, so there are some good layering items. I wanted it to be quite ageless, too. When I got a big box delivered, my mum and Sophia were after all the pieces!
As a model, are you aware of messages about body confidence in your house?
Yes, I’m very positive around the kids. They’re told every day that they’re healthy, strong, kind and beautiful. Sophia is literally like a supermodel now – she’s taller than me and her skin is just golden. I’ve got a healthy attitude to getting older. I’m grateful for each day on this planet – I try to eat well and look after myself.
What would you say if Sophia wanted to follow in your modelling footsteps?
Well, I’ve only had a positive experience so if she wanted to do it, that would be fine. But she’s very sporty – she’s really determined with her tennis, so who knows. It’s your kids’ birthday season at the moment.
Is life particularly busy?
Yes! It was Liberty’s birthday the other day, and Jack’s just turned six. Liberty wants to be a popstar, so she got an electric ukelele, an amplifier and a microphone.
What’s best about parenting now?
We’re not walking round with two prams and two nappy bags! I love them when they’re babies but with my sister and brothers and their partners and kids, we’ve got a proper ready-made little gang now.
Maybe you don’t need a “fifth baby”?
I’d have 10 kids if I could, but Pete is like, “absolutely not”. I think he said he’ll leave me if I bring another living thing into the house. All the kids are in school now, so I could easily have a newborn, but my husband says “no way”. Who will get the final word on that? I normally get my way but I don’t think I will on this. I’ve actually just got a lovely new baby who’s 18 hands – Enzo, my horse. He’s five minutes from the house but I’d like him to live in my garden and sleep in my bed, but that’s not possible either!
Have you got a busy summer planned?
Summer for me is just about spending time with the kids because during term-time we’re so busy. So on every holiday, whether it’s half term or in summer, we want to make the kids happy. Do you and Peter get to have much time to yourselves? We make time. So, we’ll get the kids down and watch a movie together, or go out for dinner or on a night away somewhere. But of course, we go away and then complain the whole time that we’re missing them!
Abbey Clancy’s Festival edit is available to shop online via tesco.com and in the majority of F&F stores
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