Helen Skelton's ex-husband Richie Myler has become a dad again after his new lover Stephanie Thirkill gave birth.
The 32-year-old reportedly missed out on his team - Leeds Rhinos' - match against Hull Kingston Rovers on Friday due to his partner going into labour.
Rohan Smith, who coaches the team, confirmed .Richie's absence was due to the arrival of his fourth child, reports Leeds Live.
The Rhinos boss said: "Richie has spent a bunch of time in hospital with the birth of his new little baby, so we've given him a little time off to settle in at home."
It comes after it was revealed the new couple were expecting their first child together in October.
Richie already shares three children, Ernie, Louis and Elsie, with his ex-wife Helen.
A mate of Richie's told The Sun the rugby player and Stephanie are extremely happy together.
“The timing of the pregnancy may raise a few eyebrows though. It is obviously such a huge step, and one made remarkably quickly off the back of Helen and Richie’s eight-year marriage ending.
"But Richie and Helen maintain cordial relations, and in a way the timing is actually perfect as Helen is so happy at the moment," they said.
Richie confirmed the pregnancy through social media.
He posted a sweet black-and-white image where Stephanie placed her hands on his face while he put his hands on her waist.
He posted the caption with a red heart emoji.
A friend of Stephanie, daughter of Andrew Thirkill, the owner of the Leeds Rhinos, the rugby team Richie Myler plays for, later spoke out to defend the couple on their baby joy.
A pal of Stephanie’s insisted to the Mirror she had "nothing but respect for Helen".
The friend said: "She has told me, ‘It’s upsetting that anyone could be judging me when I am so early on in pregnancy. I want to be able to enjoy this time without it being tarnished as I’ve always dreamed of being a mum.
"I have never meant to cause any upset to Helen but I do feel I’m being painted as some sort of horrible person'."
The pal went on: "Steph has kept a dignified silence but is very upset by some of the social media comments that have made her out as some sort of marriage-wrecker when she is nothing of the sort."
Helen announced her split from Richie in April last year, four months after welcoming their daughter Elsie together.
She shared two heartbreak emojis as she shared an emotional message with fans.
"Very sad to say that Richie and I are no longer a couple," she wrote.
"He has left the family home. We will be doing our best to co parent our small children."
The pair married in 2013 before they split in 2022.
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