Jessica Ennis-Hill is set to appear on television screens once again as the European Athletics Championships get underway in Birmingham. The London 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold medallist will be part of the BBC's coverage, helping introduce the current generation of track and field talent. The event runs for six days at Alexander Stadium, with Team GB athletes aiming for glory.
Childhood Sweethearts
Ennis-Hill, who retired almost exactly 10 years ago, has been married to husband Andy since 2013. The couple met as teenagers at King Ecgbert School in Dore, Sheffield, and have been together ever since. Andy proposed on Christmas Eve in 2010 at their home, a moment Ennis-Hill described to Hello! magazine: "He was saying all these lovely things. I thought, 'It really sounds like he's going to propose, but he can't be'. Then he got the ring out of his pocket. It was an amazing feeling."
Andy added: "You had a little tear in your eye. We've always talked about it and it just felt like the time was right. Christmas is quite special for me and Jess." The couple celebrated their 13th wedding anniversary this year and have two children.
£1 Million Family Home
In 2012, Ennis-Hill and Andy reportedly purchased a four-bedroom property on the outskirts of Sheffield, worth £1 million. The home, close to the Peak District and near where the athlete grew up, features a large kitchen with bespoke granite worktops, a billiard room, three reception rooms, and an entertaining terrace. Neighbours include former England footballer Chris Waddle and retired cricketer Michael Vaughan.
Tearful Return to Sport
After having her son Reggie in July 2014, Ennis-Hill made the difficult decision to return to competition. She competed at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, just after Reggie's first birthday, which meant significant time away during training. She told The Independent in 2022: "It was just the most awful thing, I cried my eyes out leaving him. But I was like, 'If I'm going all the way to [Beijing], I'm not coming back without a medal. It's got to be worth it when you're having time away from the kids.'"
She added: "I was [thinking] I have this amazing opportunity, I've got to do this last bit and I wanted Reggie to see it all – but I then I had all this guilt kind of ravelled around everything. And a feeling of, what if I put this last bit of energy towards my career and then I get injured? Or I don't win a medal and it's all been for nothing? I found that really, really challenging. I was always questioning myself."
The decision proved worthwhile as she won gold in the heptathlon in Beijing, adding to her three world titles and Olympic success.
