Andy Parsons, husband of Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, has spoken publicly for the first time about the emotional toll of the couple's two miscarriages. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Parsons admitted he would cry on his morning train commute while trying to support his wife.
Rebecca Adlington suffered a miscarriage at 12 weeks in 2022, requiring emergency surgery and treatment for sepsis. A second miscarriage followed in October 2023 at 20 weeks, when the couple lost their baby daughter Harper. The swimmer described herself as 'truly heartbroken' in a social media post at the time.
Parsons, 35, said he initially went into 'protection mode' for his wife, but later realised he was struggling internally. 'I told myself I was OK but inside I was really struggling. Instantly you just sink,' he told the Sunday Times. 'I would just sit there on the train every morning, crying the whole way.'
The couple, who have a four-year-old son Albie together, have sought counselling to cope with their loss. Adlington also has a daughter, Summer, 10, from a previous marriage. In a February 2024 interview with the Mirror, Adlington said Harper 'will always be part of our family', adding that her ashes are kept in the family home.
Adlington was diagnosed with coeliac disease in October 2023, a chronic autoimmune condition triggered by gluten. She believes the condition may have contributed to her miscarriages and described the diagnosis as 'life-changing'. She urged others experiencing similar symptoms to request a test from their doctor.
