Abbey Clancy says she’s ‘trying to train’ Peter Crouch as she makes marriage confession

Ex-footballer Peter Crouch’s wife Abbey Clancy has opened up about their 20-year marriage and their four children, but admitted she is still trying to ‘train’ her husband

Former England footballer Peter Crouch occasionally “walks out and slams the door” on Abbey Clancy during domestic rows, the model has disclosed.

The ex-Liverpool striker and his wife have been an item for two decades, first crossing paths in December 2005 at a nightclub in her hometown of Liverpool where Abbey was working.

The pair are parents to four youngsters – Sophia Ruby, 14, Liberty Rose, 10, Johnny, seven, and Jack, six. Despite their 20-year journey together, Abbey admitted she’s still “trying to train” her husband – though she acknowledges Peter is making progress.

In an interview with The Times, she revealed: “I’m trying to train Pete to be a but more emotionally intelligent as sometimes he’s like a baby.

“He’ll walk out and slam a door and ignore me for an hour but he’s getting better, and we are very solid as a unit. We like the same things, laugh at the same things. Ours is a happy house even after 20 years together,” reports Wales Online.

Peter and Abbey exchanged vows at an 18th century church in Leicestershire back in June 2011. Abbey went on to reveal that she handles most of the culinary duties in the Crouch residence.

She explained that when she’s “too tired” to prepare meals or if she’s not around, Peter has just one trick up his sleeve in the kitchen.

Abbey shared: “Dinner is always cooked by me; I made these incredible dauphinoise potatoes with steak, mushrooms and green beans last night.

“If I’m too knackered or I’m out, Pete will either grab a takeaway or rustle up the only dish he ever makes, which is Daddy’s omelette – basically crammed with whatever’s lurking in the fridge.”

This follows Abbey leaving Peter gobsmacked after revealing a new addition to the household.

Discussing her daughter’s passion for animals, Abbey explained her decision to surprise Peter – despite his objections.

“My daughter, Liberty, all she wants to be is a mum,” Abbey revealed.

“She’s 10 and she still has all these silicone baby dolls that she dresses. She just loves anything baby, She’s just so loving.”

Abbey’s mum owns a miniature “teacup” Maltese called Bella, whom Liberty absolutely dotes on.

“Lib was saying please, mommy, can I get a Bella?” Abbey recalled, “And I just thought, you know what? I’m going to get one.”

Peter jumped in to clarify that he’d been against welcoming another pet into their home.

He revealed: “The conversation went; ‘I’m thinking about getting this dog,’ I said ‘No, you’re not.'”

Peter admitted he felt his influence had completely evaporated. “I just couldn’t’ believe it,” he declared.

“We talk about losing the dressing room, right? I’ve lost the household.”

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El Palestino: More than a Club

Chile’s Palestino FC, where football, identity and resistance unite in a powerful act of Palestinian representation.

The remarkable story of Deportivo Palestino, the Chilean football club founded more than a century ago by Palestinian migrants and still driven by identity, memory and resistance.

Opening with Palestino’s appearance in the Copa Libertadores, it blends history, community and high-stakes football through the personal journeys of those shaped by the club. Former midfielder Roberto Kettlun reveals how joining Palestino reconnected him with his roots and led him to play for the Palestinian national team and live in Jerusalem, confronting a reality he had heard about only through family stories.

The film also follows Chile’s former Interior Minister Rodrigo Delgado, who credits his Palestinian heritage and Palestino fandom with forging his political determination.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson ‘get engaged’ for The Drama as news broke in US paper

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson’s fake engagement announcement appeared in the Boston Globe as a marketing stunt for A24 psychological thriller The Drama, releasing in 2026

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson have ramped up their promotional efforts for their upcoming film, ‘The Drama’.

The film’s brief synopsis reveals that the plot unfolds just days before a couple’s wedding, when their relationship is rocked after one partner uncovers disturbing truths about the other.

In a unique promotional stunt, a faux engagement announcement for the ‘blissful couple’ was featured in the Boston Globe alongside the newspaper’s romance advice column. The ad offered more insights into the film’s characters.

It read: “Mr and Mrs Roger Harwood of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, announce the engagement of their daughter, Emma Harwood, to Charlie Thompson, son of Mr and Mrs Alan Thompson of London, England. Mr Harwood, a decorated military veteran, is proud to share this joyous news.

READ MORE: First look at Robert Pattinson and Zendaya romcom from maker of 2023’s best film

“Miss Harwood is a 2013 graduate of Portside High School and a 2017 honours graduate of Boston University, where she earned her BA degree in English. She is currently employed at Mission Books.

“The future groom, Mr Thompson, was a 2004 graduate of Eaton College and went on to earn his PhD in Art History from Tufts University. He serves as the Director of Cambridge Art Museum. The couple will wed on April 3, 2026.”

Just days following publication, the identical image was unveiled as the official film poster. The snapshot captures a raw, slightly grainy moment between the duo as Zendaya’s character flaunts her engagement ring.

Whilst The Drama is scheduled to hit American cinemas from 3rd April 2026, British film fans are still awaiting confirmation on when they’ll get their chance to watch it.

Borgli crafted the script, with Midsommar’s Ari Aster taking on production duties via his Square Peg production company. His breakthrough film Dream Scenario, which dropped in 2023, starred the unpredictable Nicolas Cage as college lecturer Paul Matthews, who inexplicably begins appearing in strangers’ dreams.

“I was writing it at the beginning of 2020, at the same time as there was a global pandemic ramping up, which felt uncanny and strange because I was writing about a dream pandemic,” the director revealed to GQ.

“I was thinking about massive cultural response to a phenomenon, and here it was, happening at the same time, in a very physical way.”

Off-screen, Spider-Man co-stars Zendaya and Tom Holland are believed to have become engaged last year. The pair are anticipated to tie the knot in an intimate ceremony, with her stylist dropping hints about potential wedding arrangements in recent months.

Speculation around their engagement intensified after Zendaya was photographed sporting a diamond ring at January’s Golden Globes. While the Euphoria actress and 29 year old Tom haven’t publicly confirmed their engagement, those in their inner circle have.

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In the meantime, Pattinson has recently welcomed a baby girl into the world with his fiancée Suki Waterhouse.

WTA signs with Mercedes in ‘most significant deal in our history’

Getty Images

The Women’s Tennis Association has announced a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz which has the potential to be the largest in women’s sport.

The German car manufacturer will become the premier partner of the WTA and pour $50m (£37.5m) per year into women’s tennis for up to 10 years.

The deal has been described as the “most significant” in the WTA’s history, and could ultimately be worth up to half a billion dollars (£375m).

The National Women’s Soccer League in America signed a $240m (£180m) four-year media rights deal in November 2023, while Nike has invested $350m (£262m) across multiple women’s football leagues.

Announced on Wednesday, the WTA deal will help with the tour’s commitment to have equal prize money at events where both men and women feature by 2027 and at non-combined events by 2033.

Equal prize money was one of the key goals when the WTA was founded in 1973.

American tennis great Billie Jean King, who founded the WTA and was its first president, said the deal shows the tour “continues to lead the way in women’s sport”.

“Women are making their mark now and it’s just beginning,” she told BBC Sport.

“Equal prize money is so important and sends a really strong message.

The deal dwarfs the agreement struck in early 2022 with Hologic. As the WTA’s title sponsor, the medical technology company has nonetheless invested $20m (£15m) annually in a contract that runs until 31 December.

Mercedes-Benz previously sponsored the men’s ATP Tour from 1996 to 2008 and is an official sponsor of the US Open.

French Open champion Coco Gauff is the latest tennis player to become a brand ambassador, following Roger Federer and Sloane Stephens.

“Our mission statement when we founded the WTA was that any girl born in this world, if she was good enough, would have a place to compete, be respected and make a living playing tennis,” added King, who won 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

“This is a real partnership and Mercedes are in it for the long term.

    • 18 March

The move is another significant investment in women’s sport. Revenue generated across women’s sport last year topped $1bn (£754m) and business analysts forecast it will hit $2.5bn (£1.8bn) by 2030.

The Mercedes-Benz deal has been brokered by the WTA’s commercial arm, WTA Ventures. It is supported by the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which invested $150m (£112m) into women’s tennis in 2023.

CVC – which has previously had a profitable association with Formula 1 and also invested in the Six Nations, Premier Rugby, Spain’s La Liga and the Indian Premier League – is building towards a 20% stake in WTA Ventures.

The WTA’s finances suffered significantly when outgoing chief executive Steve Simon suspended all tournaments in China and Hong Kong at the end of 2021.

The deal with Hologic helped matters, as did a three-year deal to hold the season-ending WTA Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia.

This year’s Finals champion Elena Rybakina walked away with £4m in prize money – the biggest pay day in women’s tennis history.

“This makes a statement for women’s sport globally,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo told BBC Sport.

Related topics

  • Tennis

More on this story

    • 28 October
    Valerie Camillo
  • Some tennis balls
    • 16 August
    BBC Sport microphone and phone

WTA signs with Mercedes in ‘most significant deal in our history’

Getty Images

The Women’s Tennis Association has announced a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz which has the potential to be the largest in women’s sport.

The German car manufacturer will become the premier partner of the WTA and pour $50m (£37.5m) per year into women’s tennis for up to 10 years.

The deal has been described as the “most significant” in the WTA’s history, and could ultimately be worth up to half a billion dollars (£375m).

The National Women’s Soccer League in America signed a $240m (£180m) four-year media rights deal in November 2023, while Nike has invested $350m (£262m) across multiple women’s football leagues.

Announced on Wednesday, the WTA deal will help with the tour’s commitment to have equal prize money at events where both men and women feature by 2027 and at non-combined events by 2033.

Equal prize money was one of the key goals when the WTA was founded in 1973.

American tennis great Billie Jean King, who founded the WTA and was its first president, said the deal shows the tour “continues to lead the way in women’s sport”.

“Women are making their mark now and it’s just beginning,” she told BBC Sport.

“Equal prize money is so important and sends a really strong message.

The deal dwarfs the agreement struck in early 2022 with Hologic. As the WTA’s title sponsor, the medical technology company has nonetheless invested $20m (£15m) annually in a contract that runs until 31 December.

Mercedes-Benz previously sponsored the men’s ATP Tour from 1996 to 2008 and is an official sponsor of the US Open.

French Open champion Coco Gauff is the latest tennis player to become a brand ambassador, following Roger Federer and Sloane Stephens.

“Our mission statement when we founded the WTA was that any girl born in this world, if she was good enough, would have a place to compete, be respected and make a living playing tennis,” added King, who won 39 Grand Slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

“This is a real partnership and Mercedes are in it for the long term.

    • 18 March

The move is another significant investment in women’s sport. Revenue generated across women’s sport last year topped $1bn (£754m) and business analysts forecast it will hit $2.5bn (£1.8bn) by 2030.

The Mercedes-Benz deal has been brokered by the WTA’s commercial arm, WTA Ventures. It is supported by the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which invested $150m (£112m) into women’s tennis in 2023.

CVC – which has previously had a profitable association with Formula 1 and also invested in the Six Nations, Premier Rugby, Spain’s La Liga and the Indian Premier League – is building towards a 20% stake in WTA Ventures.

The WTA’s finances suffered significantly when outgoing chief executive Steve Simon suspended all tournaments in China and Hong Kong at the end of 2021.

The deal with Hologic helped matters, as did a three-year deal to hold the season-ending WTA Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia.

This year’s Finals champion Elena Rybakina walked away with £4m in prize money – the biggest pay day in women’s tennis history.

“This makes a statement for women’s sport globally,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo told BBC Sport.

Related topics

  • Tennis

More on this story

    • 28 October
    Valerie Camillo
  • Some tennis balls
    • 16 August
    BBC Sport microphone and phone

Shoppers rave these Royal-approved waterproof boots are ‘perfect for walking’ in winter

This winter, we’re all on the hunt for the perfect pair of walking boots that can survive the wet and cold weather ahead – and this pair is proving a favourite among shoppers

Although not confirmed, it appears that Princess Charlotte wore a pair of Dubarry of Ireland walking boots in recent photos of her embracing the outdoors, adopting a style reminiscent of her mother’s go-to country look. The pair looked to be these Waterford Country Boots, in a versatile and stylish brown shade, which are a hit with shoppers.

Hailed as “perfect” for walking in winter, these could be the waterproof Chelsea boots you need for hikes or dog walks in the elements this year, with a Royal-inspired style.

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Touted as having all the performance and technology of the brand’s iconic country boot collection, combined with the smart style of women’s Chelsea boots. The Dubarry Waterford shoes are waterproof and breathable, featuring a GORE-TEX Product Technology lining to keep your toes warm and dry as you explore the outdoors.

These boots also boast a duo compound PU and rubber sole, which provides durable comfort and shock absorbency, ensuring you can rely on them to keep you steady on any terrain. These shoes are constructed from leather uppers, which feature a DryFast-DrySoft water-resistant finish.

The boots’ neat, elasticated panelled sides ensure a snug and secure fit, suitable for any foot and ankle size, allowing you to enjoy top-tier comfort wherever you walk.

Whether you pair them with jeans, winter-ready knitwear, thermal leggings like those Princess Charlotte opted for, or a quilted jacket that the Royals love, these boots promise both practicality and style.

Available in sizes EU 36 to 42, these boots come in a wide range of versatile shades, including various brown hues or black, depending on your aesthetic. These boots retail for £229.

Shoppers who have picked up a pair can’t stop singing their praises, as one 5-star reviewer raves: “Comfortable, stylish and so well made, I am delighted with my boots. They look great with slim-fit jeans as well as a skirt. I wear them in the fields and on trips to town. Very comfortable right from day one and quick to relax for ease of getting on and off. I have bought several items from Dubarry, it’s my go-to place for country wear, my favourite store.”

Further praise comes from this buyer who beams: “Great boots, perfect for walking the dog. Initially very tight to get on and off. Very comfortable.”

Another shopper says: “The Waterford are the most comfortable pair of boots that I own. They are perfect in every way. One needs a shoe horn, though! That’s why shoe horns exist, for form-fitting footwear. These boots will be a constant companion for years to come!”

While a fourth enthuses: “Comfortable right out of the box. Stable sole in the winter. Style is nice enough to wear to work. Good investment.”

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And this buyer notes: “I love my new ankle boots. They’re like slippers. Very comfortable.”