FAMILY FIRST: 'I feel I'm coming into my peace and my power'

Mum, author and former reality star Kate Ferdinand opens up about juggling motherhood with me-time, thriving in her thirties and her surprisingly simple wedding anniversary wish

-  ZOE CRIPPS

Kate Ferdinand’s life has transformed dramatically since her time on The Only Way Is Essex. At 33, she’s traded reality TV for the joys and challenges of motherhood, finding her true calling in family life. Now a mum to son Cree, three, 13-month-old daughter Shae, and stepmum to her husband Rio’s three children, Lorenz, 18, Tate, 16, and Tia, 13, Kate jokes that you’re more likely to see her pushing a pram for fitness than glammed up.

As September begins, Kate is preparing to celebrate her fifth wedding anniversary with footballer-turned-pundit Rio and National Stepfamily Day on the 16th, a significant date given her podcast Blended, which explores the joys and challenges of merging families.

In light of her role as the face of F&F’s new activewear range — her third collection — we caught up with Kate to discuss preserving fashion treasures for her daughters, her refreshing approach to fitness and why she’s never felt more comfortable in her own skin than in her thirties.

Hi, Kate. Happy anniversary month! How will you be marking the occasion?

I can’t believe it’s September already. If I’m honest, I don’t even know what I’m doing tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll do something lovely but there are no big romantic plans at the moment.

Maybe Rio will surprise you with something romantic? Oh, I’m not very good at being surprised. I like to know everything that’s going on, so I don’t think he has [laughs]. Spending some time just the two of us would be lovely, though. If we could go to a hotel and watch Netflix, that would be perfect. I’d be over the moon with no alarm in the morning!

You’ve got a very busy household, so how do you find time for yourself?