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Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Everyone wants baby girls now — just ask pregnant Katherine Ryan
Millions of parents around the world sigh with resignation, not relief, when the sonographer says those three little words: 'It's a boy '. And in a few months time, Katherine Ryan may join them. This week, the pregnant comedian joked that she'd feel gender disappointment if she has a boy, telling Heart Radio's breakfast show: 'I'm quite big, so I think it might be a boy, so I'm feeling dejected about that, because men have just antagonised me all my life, even before they're born.' The 42-year-old, who already has two girls and a boy, then added, more seriously: 'I didn't grow up with brothers, so it's been an adjustment for me.' And it was this admission that caught my attention, as a woman who's 'adjusted' to having a son. I'll start with the usual caveats: I love my son and would not change him for the world. But when the sonographer confirmed I was having a boy, I wasn't immediately giddy with excitement. As a woman with a sister, brought up by a fiercely feminist mother and whip-smart nan, I'd imagined myself with a daughter by default. I wouldn't say I was disappointed, or that I'd especially longed for a girl, but I had this messy, nonsensical idea that a girl might be easier and I'd find it harder to bond with a boy. It wasn't that I thought a boy would be 'emotionless' or a girl would be 'nuturing' – or any other gender stereotype – it's that we live in a world that does still treat men and women in different ways. I only know how to navigate that as a woman. Perhaps I was getting caught up in a shifting cultural narrative: gender is a social construct, but in 2025, that social construct makes parenting daughters easier than sons. After centuries of male domination, where parents wanted boys to pass on the family wealth and name, the global gender imbalance is shifting. More people want girls now, and as The Economist pointed out last month, this isn't just because certain countries are putting sex-selective abortions and infanticide in the past. Between 1985 and 2003, the share of South Korean women who felt it 'necessary' to have a son plunged from 48% to 6%, according to South Korea's statistics agency. Similarly, polls from the Japanese National Fertility Survey suggest in 1982, 48.5% of married couples wanting only one child said they would prefer a daughter. By 2002, 75% did. The research also uncovered a pro-girl bias in Scandinavia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Portugal, where couples who have a daughter first have fewer children (suggesting couples who have a boy first keep trying for a girl). In America, where sex-selective IVF is legal, a staggering 80% of couples who choose to use this technique opt for girls. Adoptive parents, too, tend to want daughters. The UK not-for-profit Creating a Family, which supports prospective parents through the process, estimates that 75-80% of adoptive parents prefer to adopt girls. On Mumsnet, you'll find thread after thread of women talking about gender disappointment after hearing they're expecting a son. As one person pointed out: 'I don't think I've ever seen a thread where the poster is disappointed at having a girl.' Disappointment made my stomach drop. Writer Rose Stokes admits to feeling gender disappointment when she found out she'd be having a second son last year. Like me, she'd simply imagined herself with a girl, but also worried how her relationships with her sons would fare as they age, because most of her female friends were close with their mums, but the same couldn't be said for male friends. 'I was afraid that, in my older age, my boys would be less likely to keep regular contact and retain emotional closeness with me. The idea frightened me,' Rose wrote for Metro. 'Boys leave, girls stay' is a popular saying among the older generation. It's a notion deeply drilled into us that women take on a lot of the emotional labour within the family structure and are responsible for keeping everyone together. 'A friend, when walking with her two boys, the littlest just a few weeks old, was stopped by an old lady who said, 'Two boys, what a shame'.' It's a hard time to be the mother of boys. From #MeToo to Andrew Tate, Jeffrey Epstein to Diddy, the past decade has seen exposed poor male behaviour like never before – and yet it keeps on coming. As a journalist writing about women's issues, I've covered it all. The week I returned from maternity leave, Adolescence-fever swept the nation and I was asked at my desk – as a 'boymom' – about my opinion on tackling the rising problem of misogyny among children. The burden of 'fixing' the world's ills is intimidating, to say the least, and we know this burden still ultimately falls on women – who still take on the lion's share of parenting in most same-sex partnerships. And yet, all of that anxiety and anger falls away when I look at my chaotic, cheeky boy, who runs around at alarming speed with his favourite car in his hand, but also gives out the most gentle kisses and sits reading peacefully with his dad. It's crazy to think there was ever a millisecond when I doubted how he'd fit into our family. Admitting you have a gender prefence for a child is so tabboo, especially when you consider how many millions of people around the world are childless not by choice. Yet the data is clear that this is happening. It's only by talking about it and unpicking our own, messy feelings – and examing the ever-changing society we live in – that we can start to figure out why we feel more inclined to bring up one gender more than the other. Why have we decided that a boy might turn out one way, and a girl another? That introspection may be uncomfortable, but it only makes you a better parent. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I'm scared my lesbian relationship will mean I can't afford a baby MORE: The reaction to Ulrika Jonsson's face has made me terrified of ageing MORE: I've always paid my own way — but my younger sister is a spoilt brat Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Olly Murs' pregnant wife Amelia shows off growing bump as she tells fans she's ‘90 per cent baby, 10 per cent bikini'
MUR TO LOVE Olly Murs' pregnant wife Amelia shows off growing bump as she tells fans she's '90 per cent baby, 10 per cent bikini' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AMELIA Murs has shared a glowing update from her pregnancy in a sun-soaked snap on holiday. The 32-year-old fitness enthusiast posed on a sunbed in a bikini, resting her hand gently on her blossoming bump. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Amelia Murs showed off her growing bump after announcing her second pregnancy Credit: instagram 4 Olly first revealed his exciting news in a candid post on Instagram with his wife Amelia Credit: Instagram 4 Olly is set to become a father again Credit: instagram/ In the Instagram post, the body-builder, originally from Plymouth, joked: 'Currently 90% baby, 10% bikini #trimester3' Fans flooded the comments with support calling Amelia 'beautiful' and 'radiant,' with one writing: 'Pregnancy looks good on you,' and another adding: 'Love your cute bump xx.' Amelia and Olly, 40, tied the knot in July 2023 during a romantic countryside ceremony in Essex. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Madison, in April last year. Amelia was crowned the new Overall Pro UK Champion in 2021, also winning the bikini round. Her Instagram bio states she's a 4x bikini champion. The former bank worker revealed in 2018 how she juggled a full-time job with her bodybuilder. She said: "I was training weights six days a week followed by 15 minutes of cardio before coming back after work for evening cardio of 35 minutes, three times a week." Now she's expecting her second baby with Olly. He's spoken openly about the joys and shocks of fatherhood. Olly Murs breaks silence on baby two 'I didn't expect it to happen this quick' The star, known for his chart-topping hits and role as a coach on The Voice UK, recently opened to pal Mark Wright on Heart Radio. Olly said: "Mate, it's been... you know when you have those weeks where you can't tell anyone? "It's been really exciting news for us both. A shock, we didn't expect it to happen this quick, but just yeah, amazing." He added: "We just want to grow our little family." Mark couldn't help but gush over his pal, as he exclaimed: "You should be so proud of yourselves. "You're the best mum and dad ever to Maddie, and the fact you're doing it again, giving her a little sibling, is just sensational." He added: "I love you mate, and I love the whole family, and I'm just buzzing for you." Olly then couldn't help but joke how he was going back to the very beginning of looking after a newborn again. He shared the baby announcement in a black and white video on Instagram The short black and white video showed the star on a romantic country walk with his stunning wife and their one-year-old daughter. Madison wore an adorable jacket which was emblazoned with the words; 'Big sis,' in capital letters. This was whilst Amelia held onto the string of Polaroids from her first pregnancy scan. He captioned the post: "We're so egg-cited to share this..… Another Baby Murs on the way."
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Pregnant Katherine Ryan 'dejected' at the thought of her baby being a boy
Pregnant comedian Katherine Ryan isn't exactly thrilled about the prospect of having a baby boy. The Canadian star, 42, is currently expecting her fourth child. She is already a proud mum of 16-year-old Violet and her children with Bobby Kootstra: son Fred, four, and daughter Fenna, two. However, she'd seemingly much prefer adding another girl to her brood, having already confirmed that baby number four will be her last. In an appearance on Heart Radio's breakfast show this morning, she confessed to hosts Jamie Theakston and Zoe Hardman that she's been 'antagonised' by men throughout her life. She also joked about youngest Fred being a 'toxic male'. Katherine, who confirmed her pregnancy last month, began: 'I have to say that I can't ever complain post-first trimester. 'I'm quite big, so I think it might be a boy, so I'm feeling dejected about that, because men have just antagonised me all my life, even before they're born.' After welcoming her kids thus far in the order of 'girl, boy, girl,' Katherine said she never finds out her baby's sex beforehand. 'It's always a surprise, and I love that. It's vintage', she stated. The Duchess star then declared that she will inevitably suffer 'gender disappointment' if her little one arrives as a boy. 'I will have it (gender disappointment) this time if it's a boy. You know what it is, my son is a toxic male; he's four years old, and he always wants to fight me,' she shared. Katherine recalled: 'I drove him to nursery the other day; he sat behind me, and he had a sword held to my throat for a while. 'Like, who's giving you weapons?' 'I didn't grow up with brothers, so it's been an adjustment for me,' she admitted. But don't worry, it's all in jest—in true Katherine style, of course—as she assured listeners: 'But I love him; he's a very special guy.' At the end of June, Katherine revealed that she kept her second pregnancy secret out of fear of losing work. She was presenting Ready to Mingle on ITV at the time and was eight months pregnant, which nobody knew. Katherine claimed that she would be unable to get insured during the project if she were pregnant. In an interview with The Sun, she said: 'During my pregnancy, I wasn't telling anyone. You can't get insured on any production if you are pregnant. Sometimes, if you are important enough, they go the extra mile. You see Holly Willoughby pregnant and that's because she's worth it. 'I tried to keep it secret. People just thought I was really fat for ages. I had to keep it quiet. I still needed to work to feed my family.' Katherine added that she didn't want to 'let down a production' if she encountered any complications during pregnancy. The beloved 8 Out of 10 Cats comic has been open about her fertility struggles in the past, having suffered three devastating miscarriages over the span of five years. 'I'm old. I used to think I was going to be the babies' dad because I'm working, but actually I'm like their grandmother,' she told OK! Magazine last November. 'My back hurts; sometimes I give them treats. I'm like a fun grandma.' The beloved stand-up star, who frequently uses the ups and downs of parenting for material in her routines, admitted that she'd been deterred from expanding her family after learning the shocking statistics about pregnancy. More Trending 'We've always gotten pregnant with the babies quite quickly. I've been pregnant five times in five years, but that also means I've had three miscarriages in five years,' she said, adding that the likelihood of miscarriage increases as a woman gets older. 'You have to find a balance between what you can personally stand and risks you're willing to take.' When confirming that she won't be having any more kids now, she told the Telling Everyone Everything podcast that while she 'loves making people' with partner Bobby, she believes it would be 'almost irresponsible to the children that [they] have and to [themselves]' should they continue. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: I put Momcozy's pregnancy pillow to the test to see if it could break my bad habit MORE: Seraphine maternity brand worn by Kate Middleton plunges into administration MORE: I hated being a mum the minute my baby was put on my chest
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Amanda Holden's husband makes cheeky comparison as she makes 'naked' confession
Amanda Holden admits she likes to walk around nude in her own home, including spending time in the garden naked, leading to a cheeky comparison from her husband Amanda Holden has shared a cheeky insight into her home life, revealing that her husband Chris Hughes likens her to a certain TV character due to her "naked" habits. The 54-year-old telly star confesses she's quite fond of wandering about her house in the buff. The Britain's Got Talent judge was left blushing when she discovered a newly installed camera at her residence had been recording her. She had arranged for an electrician to fit the camera onto a drainpipe, expecting it to be activated later on. Yet, Amanda recounts how the electrician, upon his return, mentioned he needed to review the footage to ensure the camera's angle was correct. She light-heartedly remarked that electrician Andy would need to "delete the footage". In a candid chat with The Times, Amanda divulged her penchant for being "naked all day", although she does don pyjamas when hitting the sack. She explained: "My husband says I'm like [the Sesame Street character] Elmo; I go around naked all day and wear pyjamas to go to bed." Confirming she sleeps covered up, Amanda replied: "Yes. It's weird. I like pyjamas buttoned up to the neck. I'm Wee Willie Winkie, even on summer holidays. I just feel snug." Elmo, the beloved Sesame Street character, is indeed known for wearing pyjamas to bed, but is typically seen without clothes during the day. Amanda Holden recently opened up about her penchant for nudity at home during a segment on her Heart Radio show with co-host Jamie Theakston. In one episode, they discussed an email from a listener whose child's school had reported an "incident" during their Duke of Edinburgh Award. The listener revealed the youngsters had followed a foodpath that went through a nudist beach. The listener said "everything was okay" but the teachers at the school "just wanted to let them know". Jamie, aged 54, quipped: "You know those kids have done that on purpose. I love the fact that the teachers are concerned about their mental health and the kids have had an absolute hoot." Amanda, clearly amused, retorted: "Mental health seeing a bunch of nudey wrinklers on the beach? No disrespect, you know I'm naked most of the time in my house. Naked barbecues, naked lawnmowing.." To which Jamie wittily responded: "We're not going to get 16 seconds of this are we?" resulting in laughter from Amanda. Reflecting on the incident later with her home camera, Amanda had previously labelled it as "potentially terrible". When Jamie enquired whether the moment was "career-threatening," she confirmed with a "yes". She recounted a story involving her electrician Andy, saying: "I get him round the other day because I needed something else putting up, and he goes, 'I'll have a look at what we're doing to make sure the angle is alright on that camera', he said, 'It's been going for the last couple of days'. "I went, 'I beg your pardon? !' He said, 'Oh yeah, I've downloaded the app', he said, 'I just need to make sure the angle is right'." Britain's Got Talent panellist Amanda then turned to co-presenter Jamie and remarked: "Can you imagine what I've got up to in my garden in a couple of days?". Whilst Jamie pondered what Amanda might have been doing in her outdoor space, she revealed she had cut the grass in the nude and exposed her chest to spouse Chris Hughes. She continued: "I'm always naked in my back garden. "I've definitely been naked, and for a joke the other day, I was sorting something out in the garden and my husband waved at me from the bedroom window, and I flashed my boobs at him, because I thought this is funny and I went 'wahoo' [flashing] like that." Amanda disclosed she had forgotten about the camera as it camouflaged with her drainpipe. "I had no idea it was up, and now Andy is going to be reviewing this footage and I need it all deleted," she confessed. Amanda then clarified that the electrician could access the camera remotely via his smartphone, with all footage being automatically stored in a digital archive. "It exists! Naked lawnmowing and me flashing my boobs to my husband," she continued. Jamie cheekily suggested her antics would create brilliant television content, which she enthusiastically welcomed. "I'd go [to] Netflix, Netflix can have it," she joked. In a frantic bid to reach her electrician, she issued an urgent plea on air: "If Andy is listening, get round [to] my house! Delete [the footage from] Monday and Tuesday." She added with urgency, "And I'm not joking Andy, I need that camera turned off because I've got all the school mums coming round, and that is terrible."
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Amanda Holden's ‘naked' confession as husband makes TV character comparison
Amanda Holden admits she likes to walk around nude in her own home, including spending time in the garden naked, leading to an unusual comparison from her husband Amanda Holden says her husband Chris Hughes compares her to a TV character as she made a 'naked' confession. The 54-year-old television presenter admits she regularly likes to walk around the house in the nude. It recently left Amanda red-faced when she realised a camera installed at her home had been filming her. She had the camera installed on a drainpipe by her electrician, believing it would be made operational after a few days. However, Amanda says that when the tradesman returned, he told her he had to check the footage to make sure it was at the right angle. She joked that electrician Andy would have to 'delete the footage'. Now, in a conversation with The Times, Amanda revealed she likes to go around 'naked all day'. Although she admits she does wear pyjamas to bed. She explained: 'My husband says I'm like [the Sesame Street character] Elmo; I go around naked all day and wear pyjamas to go to bed." When asked if she sleeps clothed, she replied: "Yes. It's weird. I like pyjamas buttoned up to the neck. I'm Wee Willie Winkie, even on summer holidays. I just feel snug.' Sesame Street character Elmo is known to wear pyjamas to bed. However the majority of the time, the red monster is not seen wearing clothing. Amanda has recently discussed her love of being naked around her own home on her Heart Radio show with Jamie Theakston. On a recent show, a listener wrote in to say they had received a message from their child's school saying there had been an 'incident' as they completed their Duke of Edinburgh Award. The listener revealed the youngsters had followed a foodpath that went through a nudist beach. The listener said 'everything was okay' but the teachers at the school 'just wanted to let them know'. Jamie, 54, joked: 'You know those kids have done that on purpose. I love the fact that the teachers are concerned about their mental health and the kids have had an absolute hoot.' A stunned Amanda replied: 'Mental health seeing a bunch of nudey wrinklers on the beach? No disrespect, you know I'm naked most of the time in my house. Naked barbecues, naked lawnmowing…' Jamie responded: 'We're not going to get 16 seconds of this are we?' Which prompted laughter from Amanda. Discussing the incident with her home camera, Amanda previously described it as 'potentially terrible'. When Jamie asked if the moment was 'career-threatening,' Amanda replied 'yes'. Recalling the exchange with her electrician Andy, she explained: "I get him round the other day because I needed something else putting up, and he goes, 'I'll have a look at what we're doing to make sure the angle is alright on that camera', he said, 'It's been going for the last couple of days'. 'I went, 'I beg your pardon? !' He said, 'Oh yeah, I've downloaded the app', he said, 'I just need to make sure the angle is right'." Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda then turned to co-star Jamie and said: "Can you imagine what I've got up to in my garden in a couple of days?" As Jamie speculated what Amanda could have done in her garden, she confessed she had mowed the lawn naked and showed her chest to husband Chris Hughes. She added: 'I'm always naked in my back garden. "I've definitely been naked, and for a joke the other day, I was sorting something out in the garden and my husband waved at me from the bedroom window, and I flashed my boobs at him, because I thought this is funny and I went 'wahoo' [flashing] like that." Amanda explained she forgot the camera was there because it blended in with her drainpipe. "I had no idea it was up, and now Andy is going to be reviewing this footage and I need it all deleted," she revealed. Amanda then explained that the electrician could view the camera remotely through his mobile phone, with all recordings being automatically saved to a digital file. "It exists! Naked lawnmowing and me flashing my boobs to my husband," she added. Jamie playfully proposed that her escapades would make TV gold, which she playfully embraced. "I'd go [to] Netflix, Netflix can have it," she quipped. Desperately hoping her electrician was tuned in, she made an urgent appeal: "If Andy is listening, get round [to] my house! Delete [the footage from] Monday and Tuesday. "And I'm not joking Andy, I need that camera turned off because I've got all the school mums coming round, and that is terrible."
