Ben Foden has praised his ex-wife Una Healy for raising their 'loving and gentle' children by herself, following their divorce in 2018.
The professional rugby player, 36, shares Tadgh, 6, and Aoife, 9, with the former The Saturdays band member, 40, and claimed it's thanks to her that they turned out so well.
He told The Mirror: 'I always doff my hat to Una. She's raised the kids for the last couple of years on her own, and they're great kids, very loving and gentle, and intelligent too – and they definitely don't get that from me.
'They definitely don't get it from me!' Ben Foden has praised his ex-wife Una Healy for raising their 'loving and gentle' children by herself, following their divorce in 2018 (pictured in 2019)
'I'd like them to get into music and acting. They did an advert with Una for McDonald's and were great in it.'
Ben tied the knot with his second wife Jackie Smith Foden in 2019 just two weeks after they met and they welcomed their daughter Farrah the following year.
He added: 'Jackie is just obsessed with Farrah, she's changed her whole perspective on life. And she's a brilliant stepmum to the other two.'
Ben is gearing up to compete in the upcoming series of Dancing On Ice alongside professional partner Robin Johnstone, which begins on Sunday.
Exes: The professional rugby player, 36, shares Tadgh, 6, and Aoife, 9, with the former The Saturdays band member, 40, and claimed it's thanks to her that they turned out so well (pictured in 2017)
Set to compete on the new series is Love Islander Liberty Poole, 21, BMX Olympic silver medalist Kye Whyte, 22, Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan Gascoigne, 25, The Vamps' Connor Ball, 25, rugby star Ben and Paralympian Stef Reid, 37.
Other celebrities taking part include presenter Ria Hebden, 38, pop star and actress Kimberly Wyatt, 39, professional dancer Brendan Cole, 45, and Happy Mondays dancer Bez, 57.
Currently, Brendan has been tipped as the favourite to win the show, with odds of 3-1 according to Coral.
Family: He said: 'I always doff my hat to Una. She's raised the kids for the last couple of years on her own, and they're great kids, very loving and gentle, and intelligent too' (pictured with Tadgh, 6, and Aoife, 9)
Regan is the 4-1 second favourite with the show starting this weekend, with Liberty and Kimberley as joint third at 5-1.
Brendan will take to the ice with veteran pro Vanessa, who was previously crowned series champion with Jake Quickenden.
This year's celeb contestants will make their debut on the ice on the live launch show this Sunday, with ITV hoping there will be less injuries than last year's chaotic series.
The 2021 series saw stars Denise Van Outen, Billie Faiers and Jason Donovan all forced to withdraw following injury, with
