Tate Ferdinand, the 17-year-old stepson of former reality TV star Kate Ferdinand, has admitted he initially hated her and fabricated lies to tell his father, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand. The revelations came during an episode of Kate's podcast, 'Blended', where the pair reflected on their tumultuous relationship.
Tate's Initial Hatred and Lies
Tate confessed to making up stories about Kate, including falsely claiming she was meeting random men on the driveway and that she had locked him and his siblings in a room. He said he felt 'so guilty' for liking Kate, believing his loyalty should remain with his late mother, Rebecca Ellison, who died of breast cancer in 2015.
'I remember when I hated you. I hated you,' Tate told Kate on the podcast. 'And then we might do something good and then I would flip straight away back into loving mode and then I'd have to almost lie about what I did before to get myself out of it.'
Kate's Perspective on the Struggles
Kate, 35, recounted an incident where a delivery man brought a phone for Rio while the children were asleep. The children interpreted this as Kate meeting men on the drive. 'Tate told people that when dad's not there, I'm meeting men on the drive,' Kate said. 'So then a few people thought that when Rio was out, I was meeting random guys on the drive.'
Another story involved a Valentine's Day balloon delivery that Kate tried to hide from the children. The situation 'spiralled out of control,' with the youngsters claiming they had been 'locked in a room.' Tate explained his confusion: 'I was just in such a confused state of mind. I didn't know what was going on.'
Journey to a Stronger Bond
Despite the rocky start, Tate and Kate now share a great relationship. Kate fondly recalled the moment when Tate referred to her as his stepmother for the first time. 'I remember the day it changed, and you were like 'that's my step mum', I was like 'oh my god, I'm not his aunt anymore',' she said.
Rio and Kate married in September 2019 and have two children together: Cree, five, and Shae, two. The blended family also includes Rio's children from his first marriage: Tate, Lorenz, and Tia. Kate has been open about her struggles integrating into the family, and the podcast episode highlights the 'hell of a journey' they have undertaken.
Impact and Reflection
Tate admitted that his feelings of jealousy and confusion drove his actions. 'I used to be so jealous. Not jealous, I don't even know the word, but I would try and like get into all of your business,' he said. The pair's honest conversation underscores the challenges of blending families after a loss.
According to Kate, the negative feelings lasted for several years, but they have since built a strong relationship. The podcast episode serves as a testament to their growth and the power of open communication.
