Jonny Wilkinson – famed for winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup – have revealed that he and wife Shelley are expecting their first child together.
The 39-year-old rugby ace is set to become a first-time father later this summer, and he’s the first to admit that he's very excited about it.
Talking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, the rugby legend said: ‘I'm genuinely happy now. My life has changed so much in the past six years. I've been on a huge journey.’
Jonny continued: ‘It used to be rugby that would give me that pass to feeling good about myself but I don’t need it any more.
‘Today, having dinner with my family is my rugby and having good health is my rugby. I honestly don’t miss playing because I don’t need it anymore.’
Jonny and Shelley met in 2005 while Shelley – a scaffolding company heiress - was working as a waitress in Majorca, and married eight years later in the South of France.
The loved-up pair opted for a low-key ‘secret’ ceremony at the town hall in the Riviera resort of Bandol, where they invited only two witnesses including Jonny’s mother, Philippa.
Jonny and his 36-year-old wife attended the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's nuptials, and the pair looked lovely for the occasion.
The rugby ace dressed in a white and navy suit, while his heavily pregnant wife, Shelley went for a tailored white coat, pink lace dress and matching fascinator.
Jonny's happy news comes after he bravely spoke out about his life-long battle with anxiety.
Appearing on This Morning, he told Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about his experiences to help raise awareness for male suicide.
Jonny revealed that the only time he wasn’t struggling with anxiety was when he was on the pitch.
He went on to say: ‘I struggled for six and three quarter days a week but I let go for two hours.
‘The struggle didn’t help me but I made this idea that by struggling, the two hours went well. It has no logic,’ he said.
Jonny added that he was now getting 'better and better' because he accepted his struggle and worked on himself.
