Inside Michelle Ackerley's love life with age-gap husband as Morning Live star confirms she's pregnant
PREGNANT BBC Morning Live presenter Michelle Ackerley has announced her happy baby news - but it hasn't been an easy ride.
The 40-year-old confirmed her pregnancy live on air after revealing an emotional battle with infertility and endometriosis.
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Crimewatch Live star Michelle thrilled fans with the declaration while appearing alongside her co-host Gethin Jones.
The mum-to-be married her sports coach husband Ben Ryan last year.
Former rugby star Ben, 53, and Michelle dated for two years before they got engaged during a forest proposal in April 2022.
The sports coach - who helped scoop a gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 - is now a performance director at English Premier League football team Brentford FC.
Speaking about her doting husband Ben, she admitted: "He has been so chilled.
"The thing is, I'm not really sleeping well at the moment so I've been waking up in the middle of the night at 3am and I've been taking it upon myself to wake Ben up and say this is what we are going to have to get used to!"
The TV presenter told followers on social media: "I can't believe it's nearly been a year since getting married and I honestly didn't think 12months on that I'd be writing a post sharing that I'm pregnant…
"I wanted to share though as my journey with endometriosis and infertility is something I finally felt confident to start speaking about more openly last year - realising how many other women were going through similar experiences.
"Feeling part of a community - especially when it comes to women's health can really make a difference.
Michelle Ackerley is worlds away from Morning Live as she parties in nightclub in daring slashed dress
"Even at the very start of this year I was gearing up for yet another endo procedure and trying to come to terms with the mental and physical impact they can have.
"It has been quite the emotional rollercoaster. The news of falling pregnant really came as a massive surprise to both of us. We still can't quite believe it.
"And so in October, the start of a new chapter begins for @benryan7s and I, albeit with nervous and cautious excitement."
In a previous interview with Closer, she explained about dealing with menopause-like symptoms aged 24 and having HRT injections.
She said: "It worked, but basically put me into an early form of menopause for 18 months.
"I was given monthly injections into my stomach, which made my periods completely stop. I'd experience these intense hot flushes, my skin became itchy and sore and I had (acne) breakouts on my face.
"I suffered extreme mood swings so I was all over the place, feeling really panicky and then really angry.
"I was experiencing intense pain with my endometriosis and heavy bleeding," Michelle shared.
The radio presenter previously told Hello! about Ben: "One of the things I love about Ben is that he has such a calm aura about him and I feel safe around him.
"He's also great fun; we've also got the same sense of humour and we can just spend all of our time together cracking up laughing at stupid things."
The TV star is the daughter of television presenter and life coach Mavis, who she often appears with on shows including Morning Live and BBC 's Dirty Rotten Scammers.
The presenter, who was born in Manchester, began her career in local radio.
She then moved onto BBC Watchdog, followed by The One Show, Fantasy Homes By The Sea and Loose Women.
She has also starred in Celebrity Mastermind, Celebrity MasterChef and World's Strongest Man.
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