Latest news with #BenRyan
The Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
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. 4 4 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. 4
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Who is Michelle Ackerley's husband Ben Ryan and how long has she been married to the sports coach and former rugby player?
MICHELLE Ackerley is expecting her first baby with her husband, rugby coach Ben Ryan, just a year after they tied the knot. She posted a series of loved-up photos with Ben on Instagram, along with a picture of their baby scan. Here's what we know about him. 4 Who is Michelle Ackerley's husband, Ben Ryan? Michelle Ackerley 's husband, Ben Ryan, is an English sports coach best known for leading the Fiji sevens rugby team to their historic gold medal win at the 2016 Rio Olympics, which was Fiji's first ever Olympic medal. He was in charge of the team from 2013 to 2016, during which time they claimed their first Dubai 7s title and set a new benchmark with nine tournament wins under his leadership. Before coaching Fiji, Ben had a spell in charge of the England Sevens team. The 53-year-old is now the Performance Director at Premier League football club Brentford. Born on September 11, 1971, he graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc in Sports Science, before going on to earn an MPhil in Education from Cambridge University. While at Cambridge, Ben then played scrum-half for the Varsity Match-winning teams in 1995 and 1996, earning two Blues, and also captained the Light Blues' Sevens side. He ended up playing club rugby with Nottingham and West Hartlepool. However, he began coaching the England Sevens team in 2007, leading them through 67 international tournaments and 378 games, making him the longest-serving coach in the role. Under his leadership, England reached the semi-finals or better 28 times in the HSBC World Series and made the final of the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens, their first in 20 years. He also coached at the 2009 World Cup, 2010 Commonwealth Games, and won the 2011 Junior Commonwealth Games. Inside Morning Live's Michelle Ackerley's rise to fame - and her TV presenter mum who helped catapult her into a household name Ben led England to multiple successes before stepping down in August 2013, when he was replaced by Simon Amor. In September 2013, he became coach of the Fiji Sevens team and quickly made history, leading them to their first-ever Dubai 7s win in just his second tournament. Despite financial struggles within the Fijian Rugby Union, Ryan went unpaid for several months. Under his leadership, Fiji won nine World Sevens Series titles across three seasons, claiming the overall 2014–15 title. In 2016, he guided Fiji to Olympic gold in Rio, the nation's first Olympic medal. Ryan stepped down later that year and was honoured with the Fijian name, Ratu Peni Rayani Latianara, and gifted land in Serua as a mark of gratitude. 4 He received the country's highest honour when he was made a Companion of the Order of Fiji. He was also featured on the back of a circulating 50 cent coin and on the front of a special $7 commemorative banknote. A year later, the Englishman joined the Welsh Rugby Union as a consultant, after being named coach of the year by the Rugby Union Writers' Club. Ben lives in South West London with his wife and is a proud Brentford supporter. How long has Michelle Ackerley been married to Ben Ryan? In May 2024, Michelle tied the knot with her fiancé Ben, after being engaged since April 2022. Ben had previously been married to Natalie Peck, with their wedding taking place in July 2009. The couple separated in September 2016 and officially divorced on 2 August 2017. They didn't have any children together. 4 Then, on May 6, 2025, Michelle announced on BBC's Morning Live that she's four months pregnant. Speaking on the show, Michelle said: "I still can't quite believe it myself really." Appearing alongside her co-host Gethin Jones, Michelle talked about her husband's calming presence. She said: "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!" Michelle went on to discuss her pregnancy in a lengthy Instagram post in which she also addressed her fertility woes. The TV presenter said: "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. "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 & 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."
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Josaia Raisuqe dead aged 30: Castres and Fiji star passes away in road accident on the way to training in France as rugby world pays tribute
Fijian rugby star Josaia Raisuqe has tragically died while on his way to training on Thursday morning, aged 30. The former Fiji Sevens winger, who had been playing for Castres Olympique since 2021, is understood to have passed away following a road accident. Reports from L'Equipe claim that the footy star was hit by a train at a level crossing. The outlet adds that his team-mates have been informed of the incident and were released on Thursday by the club. A psychological unit has also been set up to provide support players and staff. Castres are yet to make a statement but several other French clubs and members of the rugby union community have paid tribute to the Fiji star. In 2024, Raisuqe represented Fiji at the Paris Olympics, with the winger going on to help his side clinch a silver medal. 'Josaia was an absolutely adorable boy. He was always the first in training, whether it was raining, windy, or snowing,' former coach Xavier Péméja said. Raisuqe was drafted to the Fiji men's Sevens squad by coach Ben Ryan back in 2015, after the legendary sevens coach spotted him playing during the Martintar and Marist Sevens tournaments in Fiji. He was drafted straight into the squad for that year's Hong Kong Sevens, before going on to feature in five tournaments on the sevens circuit, notably scoring 14 tries. Later in 2015, he'd pen a deal to join Parisian club Stade Francais and would stay with the Top 14 side for two years, leaving for Pro D2 club Nevers in 2017. He'd go on to join up with Pro D2 side Nevers, being crowned the league's top try scorer for the 2018-19 season with 15 tries. The Fijian winger went viral back in 2021 after he bizarrely lifted a referee up into the air to celebrate a victory in the French second division. While he admitted he didn't want to harm the referee and was just overcome with joy following the victory Raisuqe was handed a red card by the official and was banned for five weeks. That year, he'd go on to join up with Castres and has been playing for the club since.
The Independent
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
BBC presenter makes ‘emotional' on-air announcement
BBC presenter Michelle Ackerley has announced her pregnancy live on Morning Live. The announcement comes after she had an 'emotional' struggle with infertility and endometriosis. Ackerley, who married Ben Ryan in 2024, expressed surprise and joy at the pregnancy. 'I know I still can't quite believe it myself, really, very, very happy,' she said. She shared her experience with endometriosis and infertility to connect with other women facing similar challenges. Ackerley is four months pregnant and expecting the baby in October.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
BBC Morning Live's Michelle Ackerley reveals pregnancy live on air after fertility struggle
BBC Morning Live presenter Michelle Ackerley has revealed that she is pregnant with her first child. The star confirmed the exciting news live on air on BBC One this morning. 1 Appearing alongside her co-host Gethin Jones, Michelle delighted the day's guests with the confirmation that she is expecting. It will be the first child for her and husband, sports coach Ben Ryan, whom she married last year. Speaking on the show, Gethin teased Michelle had some news to which she responded: "Yes, I am four months pregnant!" She continued: "I still can't quite believe it myself really." Gethin went on to share how Michelle had told him that husband Ben had been a very calming presence throughout the pregnancy. Michelle then said: "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!"
