Jamie Redknapp has opened up about how his eldest son initially struggled with the news of his father expecting another baby. The football pundit and his wife Frida Andersson welcomed their first child together in November 2021, shortly after their wedding.
Family Dynamics After Divorce
The 52-year-old's relationship with the Swedish model, who also has four children from a previous marriage, began after his split from Louise Redknapp in 2017, following 19 years of marriage. Since the separation, Jamie has largely remained private about the breakdown of his marriage, deliberately omitting personal details from his 2020 autobiography.
However, in a candid conversation on The Romesh Ranganathan Show, the son of Harry Redknapp revealed how his sons Charley, 21, and Beau, 16, responded to him moving on and starting a new family. When asked about fatherhood in his late 40s, he admitted he's "a bit more relaxed" this time around.
Charley's Initial Reaction
Reflecting on the "most difficult part" of having another child, he confessed: "It was actually telling the kids that they were going to have a younger brother. It didn't go down that well with Charley, I've got to be honest. I went to pick him up at school and tell him Frida was pregnant [and] it went down like a lead balloon, if I'm honest."
Explaining his son's response, he continued: "I got it, I totally understood it because his world had been turned upside down - you're married, everything feels straightforward, and then you meet someone else and you get married again." Regarding his second son Beau, Jamie revealed "it was a little bit easier" for him to come to terms with the news.
The football pundit continued by saying that while he felt his heart was "so big" at the time, he recognised that "nothing was going to change from Charley and Beau's aspect."
Brothers Bond Over Time
Following the adjustment period they required, the boys have now welcomed their role as big brothers to Raphael, who celebrates his fourth birthday next month. In July, Jamie expressed how proud he was of Charley in a heartfelt Instagram post marking his 21st birthday. Within the post, he penned: "You're also the best big brother - the way you are with Rapha and Beau melts my heart. Such a great role model; they're so lucky to have you. Now that you're 21, I'm hoping you'll finally start beating me at golf... but I won't make it easy! Can't wait for a few days on the course together."
Louise also marked her eldest son's milestone by sharing a photo montage spanning his 21 years. On her Instagram account, she posted: "Chaz, I'm so proud of the charming young man you've become. You've been my partner in crime since day one, and nothing makes me happier than seeing you live your best life. You have an incredible future ahead - keep working hard and smashing it."
Louise's New Romance
As for her romantic life, the singer has been dating businessman Drew Michael since 2023, but unlike Jamie, she has no intentions of remarrying in the near future. Speaking enthusiastically about their romance to The Sun, she said: "I was very guarded and scared. But I'm really enjoying having special times with someone. He's a great guy and super-kind." When asked whether marriage was on the cards, she replied: "Oh, I'm not even thinking that far ahead. I'm not even going there. I just want to be proud of this and I want to really enjoy it. I've met a really great guy and I'm really happy. But you never know what the future holds."
Louise Redknapp will appear on Sunday Brunch today (June 14) on Channel 4, alongside hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer from 10am.
