Football legend Wayne Rooney has humorously credited children's television character Mr Tumble with influencing his decision to undergo a vasectomy, claiming he couldn't bear watching the popular CBeebies programme for a potential fifth time.
The Mr Tumble Confession
During the latest episode of his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United and England striker didn't hold back when discussing his feelings about the children's entertainer. Rooney revealed he'd reached his limit after watching Mr Tumble's programmes with all four of his children with wife Coleen - Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass.
The 40-year-old explained: 'I hate Mr Tumble. I was in the dressing room for Match of the Day and he was next to me. The reason I hate him, well I don't hate him for what he does, is just that I've had to sit through it four times with every kid.'
Family Planning Decision
Rooney underwent the vasectomy procedure in 2018 following the birth of his and Coleen's youngest son, Cass. Despite speculation that the couple might have been hoping for a daughter, Coleen clarified in a 2023 interview that they both felt their family was complete after welcoming their fourth child.
Coleen shared: 'After the birth of every one of my kids the press is always interested if I'm going to have another baby and it's always, "would you like a girl?" I always thought I'd have a few kids, maybe three at the most, but then number four came along and we knew our family was complete then.'
She confirmed the couple had discussed Wayne having a vasectomy, with the footballer deciding after Cass's birth that their family was complete. Coleen added that despite hearing about gender selection procedures, it was something she'd never seriously considered.
From Childhood Sweethearts to Family Life
Wayne and Coleen first met as 12-year-olds in Liverpool and began dating at 16 before eventually marrying in 2008 during his playing days with Manchester United. Their eldest son Kai was born a year after their wedding and is now following in his father's footballing footsteps.
The 15-year-old joined Manchester United's academy in 2020 and has progressed through the youth ranks, recently stepping up to the Under-18s team. Rooney Sr has spoken proudly about how his son handles the pressure of his famous surname, though Kai has unfortunately been sidelined by injury for nearly three months this season.
Despite the lighthearted blame placed on Mr Tumble - played by Justin Fletcher - for his vasectomy decision, Rooney's comments highlight the universal parental experience of repeatedly watching children's television programmes. The former England captain's confession provides an amusing insight into the realities of family life, even for football legends.
