Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has made a startling confession about his marriage to wife Kate, admitting he goes to extreme lengths to ensure the “passion” in their relationship never dies—including a strict policy of never using the same toilet as his spouse.
Speaking on The Therapy Crouch podcast, the 45-year-old football pundit revealed that he believes certain bodily functions can “kill the passion” in a relationship, leading him to embark on late-night missions to find alternative facilities, even while on holiday .
The Midnight Search
Ferdinand explained that even in the middle of the night, he refuses to use the bathroom attached to their bedroom. Instead, he wanders hotel corridors searching for any alternative—even a disabled toilet—to avoid “ruining the romance.”
“I know there’s loads and loads of people that are doing late night shifts that have seen me walking round hotels in the middle of the night looking for a disabled toilet or a spare toilet – to go for a number two,” Ferdinand said.
“Because I refuse to do it in the same room. I’ve got a serious issue,” he added .
The ‘Three-Ring Circus’
The former England star elaborated on his philosophy, suggesting that maintaining an air of mystery is crucial for a healthy relationship. He implied that witnessing a partner’s most private moments can dismantle the attraction built up over time.
“I don’t use the same toilet as my wife to keep the romance between us from being ruined. I think some things can kill the passion in a relationship,” Ferdinand stated .
He even joked that his wife, the former TOWIE star Kate, 32, has never broken the illusion either. “Kate has never farted in her life. She doesn’t even go for a number two,” Ferdinand quipped. “If she farted in front of me I swear it could be over, romantically” .
The Couple’s Dynamic
The couple, who married in 2019 after three years of dating, appear to be in agreement on the matter. Kate revealed during the podcast that the pair are so squeamish that they cannot even say the specific words relating to the toilet. “We can’t even talk about that word,” she said .
Ferdinand also shared an anecdote about a friend—whom he refused to name—who had a house built with two separate “thrones” side by side. Ferdinand expressed horror at the setup, calling it “horrendous” .
Context of the Confession
The revelation came during a wider interview where Ferdinand also recalled the cringe-worthy chat-up line he used when he first met Kate. He admitted to trying to impress her by asking a DJ to play Drake, only to be rebuffed because the DJ was a Manchester City fan .
The couple share daughter Shae, while Kate is also stepmother to Rio’s children from his late wife Rebecca Ellison, who sadly passed away from breast cancer in 2015 .
