Helen Skelton's ex-husband Richie Myler is celebrating the arrival of his fourth child.
The Leeds Rhinos rugby player, who parted ways from the Strictly Come Dancing star last April, was absent from the line-up for his team's match against Hull Kingston Rovers on Friday evening.
© InstagramThe team's coach Rohan Smith confirmed that Richie and his girlfriend Stephanie Thirkill had welcomed their first baby together, saying: "Richie has spent a bunch of time in hospital with the birth of his new little baby, so we've given him a little time off to settle in at home."
The sports star is yet to comment on the news. He took to Instagram a month ago to share a candid black-and-white snapshot of his heavily pregnant girlfriend. In his caption, the rugby player, 32, simply included a red heart emoji.
Richie and Stephanie went Instagram official when they attended Wimbledon together in July last year. Stephanie is the daughter of the multi-millionaire President of the Leeds Rhinos club, which is the team that Richie plays for.
MORE: Helen Skelton makes raw confession about Richie Myler split - 'I don't see myself as a victim'
© Photo: Getty ImagesTheir blossoming relationship first came to light in May, just days after it was announced that his marriage to Blue Peter presenter, Helen, was over.
The former couple announced their split back in April 2022, just four months after welcoming their youngest child, baby daughter Elsie. The star had been married to rugby player Richie for nine years and, as well as Elsie, they share two sons: Ernie, seven, and Louis, five.
In a short statement confirming their separation at the time, Helen wrote: "Very sad to say Richie and I are no longer a couple. He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co-parent our small children."
Richie's family update comes just months after the star axed some of his Instagram followers after receiving a barrage of negative comments. At the time he said: "I've decided to put my profile private from now on.
"If you are on here to share my photos or stories of me and my life maliciously to other people or waste your time sending me abusive messages please just unfollow me."
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