Kate Ferdinand has revealed she felt like she had to 'earn' the title of step-mum.
The star shares son Cree, one, with her husband Rio Ferdinand, alongside the former Manchester United star's three children with his late wife Rebecca Ellison; Lorenz, 15, Tate, 13, and Tia, 10.
In the latest episode of her Blended podcast, a series exploring the stories of relationships bound by love under different circumstances, the former TOWIE star, 30, sat down for a chat with Ashley John-Baptiste - who starred in the BBC Three documentary 'Split Up in Care: Life Without Siblings'.
Throughout their candid and insightful conversation, Kate and Ashley discussed the broadcast journalist's childhood spent in various care and foster homes, re-building relationships with his biological family and starting a beautiful new family of his own.
At one point during their chat, the pair discussed what the label 'mum' means, and Kate explained how she felt she had to 'earn' to title of step-mum when joining Rio's family in 2017.
"After watching the documentary, I know that you met your mum when you were around 10-years-old," she began telling the dad-of-one.
"How did that feel, because the label 'mum' for me... you know, I'm a step-mum - I'm called Kate in our house - and I feel as though I had to earn my title of step-mum, and earn my title of even Kate, because I have to give love to be that person.
Ashley replied: "That sounds like a lot of pressure. I can't imagine how you do that. In the same way you may look at me and think 'How did he go through the care system?' The resilience and commitment to do that [become a step-parent] , to earn that privilege - hats off to you."
"Thank you so much but listen, if I love my husband I want to be be part of everything," Kate responded with.
"Like I can see these children, they've lost so much, and I want to be the best person I can.
"But I do feel like you earn the title of mum."
Kate has previously spoken out about the complicated feelings involved with being a step-mum, and admitted she often dreads being asked: "Are they your kids?"
Writing on social media last year, ahead of launching Blended, the star stated: "I have 4 children, if you suggest I have 1, I will correct you.
"If you treat 1 of them different to the other 3 I will also have a big problem, I believe all 4 of the children should be treated equally."
She added: "If you ask if I am their mum I will say I am their step mum & although they are not biologically mine I still see them as my children; it’s my job to nurture & care for them and make sure they are given all the love the deserve."
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