Football icon Wayne Rooney has shared a surprisingly personal and humorous reason behind his decision to undergo a vasectomy, pinning the blame on a beloved children's television character.
The Confession on The Wayne Rooney Show
During a recent episode of his BBC podcast, 'The Wayne Rooney Show', the conversation turned to family holidays. Co-host Kelly Somers mentioned that the popular CBeebies personality Mr Tumble performs at Butlins resorts.
This prompted the 40-year-old Manchester United legend to make a startling admission. "I hate Mr Tumble," Rooney declared, before quickly clarifying his stance. "I don't hate him for what he does, is just that I've had to sit through it four times with every kid."
"He's the Reason I've Got the Snip"
Rooney, who shares four sons – Kai, Klay, Kit, and Cass – with his wife Coleen, explained that his patience had finally run out. The former England captain stated that the thought of enduring more episodes was a deciding factor in ending his family's expansion.
"It's got to the point now where I just can't," he told the podcast audience. "He's the reason I've got the snip. I couldn't have another kid to go through it again."
The unexpected revelation left the studio in fits of laughter, with football content creator Steve Bracknell immediately joking: "There's your headline! Mr Tumble made me have the snip - Rooney."
Family Planning and Future Prospects
Rooney underwent the vasectomy procedure in 2018, not long after the birth of his fourth son, Cass. In 2023, Coleen Rooney confirmed that the couple both believed their family was complete, referencing the permanent nature of the surgery.
Meanwhile, the Rooney footballing legacy continues on the pitch. His eldest son, 15-year-old Kai, is making promising progress in Manchester United's academy. The teenager, who can play as a striker or winger, could potentially follow his father's footsteps onto the hallowed turf of Old Trafford in the coming years.
The podcast segment resonated with many listeners, who shared their own tales of parental endurance with repetitive children's television programming, proving that even footballing heroes are not immune to the trials of fatherhood.
