Abbey Clancy says a surprise holiday with her husband Peter Crouch helped them reconnect.
The 37-year-old mum-of-four admitted their relationship had hit a rough patch before Peter, 42, surprised her with a trip to Thailand last month. "Pete and I have been together for nearly 20 years, and it's hard to keep the spark alive," she admitted.
"The main thing is not to take each other for granted, and Pete surprised me with a trip to Thailand, which was such a thoughtful thing to do. However, the trip wasn't without its hiccups. Abbey laughed as she recalled: "The only thing was Pete didn't realise it was monsoon season it rained non-stop!" and "We were there for 48 hours and we didn't leave our room."
Despite the weather, Abbey appreciated the effort. She told New! Magazine: "Pete says it wasn't his finest hour, but I didn't moan. I was just grateful for all the effort he'd gone to. I feel rejuvenated, and like I can be a better mother and wife."
Abbey shares that the idea of having more kids came up while on holiday, but Peter isn't so sure. "We both love being parents, it's the most fulfilling role, but having more right now is not on the agenda. Besides, Peter has said he'll leave me if we have any more!" she jokes. With Abbey's work as a model, presenter and fashion designer, and Pete's broadcasting commitments, their lives are busier than ever.
Add the chaos that comes with four children Sophia, 12, Liberty, eight, Johnny, five, and four-year-old Jack and it can be tough to keep life, and love, on track. "Like any couple, we have our niggles," says Abbey. "You can slip into your roles of cooking and cleaning, and you need to break that cycle. I'd love it if Peter was more domesticated but I've given up and he leaves me to do the cooking and cleaning!"
Abbey tells us she and Peter share a similar approach to parenting and also a love of sport, and it's helped maintain their closeness as a couple. It's also why she is backing new research commissioned to promote the Google 8 Pixel Audio Magic Eraser, which reveals parents believe youth sports need more motivational support.
It also shows how players find shouting from the sidelines is distracting, not encouraging. "Watching our kids succeed at sports is one of the best parts of parenting," Abbey says. "Some of my best memories are supporting our kids at sports games, from football to swimming galas.
"I can't help but scream from the sidelines and be their number one cheerleader. But I can get a bit over-excited and competitive, which can embarrass the kids. If I want to drown out my voice on videos, the Google 8 Pixel Audio Magic Eraser is brilliant." Abbey Clancy shared her love for her podcast with Pete, The Therapy Crouch, saying it has saved marriages and relationships.
"I feel emotional when I talk about our podcast," she tells us. "We always get people writing to us to say how they might be going through the worst time ever, but it makes them laugh. It's great we can take their minds off whatever troubles they're having. We swear and tell rude jokes. Then the following day, I have to do the school run with the four kids and I forget I might see the headmaster or mums at the school gate, and then I want to hide!"
The couple are fan favourites to be new hosts on ITV1's This Morning, and their early bedtime routine could be perfect for the job. "Something that helps make our relationship work is that we always go to bed at the same time," says Abbey. "Pete will occasionally stay downstairs and watch the football highlights while I have a bath. But generally, we go to bed at the same time, and Pete brings me tea and cake."
What's next? Could a reality show at home with the Crouches be on the cards? "I loved the Beckhams documentary and I think Victoria has an amazing sense of humour," Abbey shared. "It was fascinating to gain an insight into their lives. But there are no plans to make a doc about our family. We both have too much going on to let cameras into our house right now."
The couple, who reside in a grand Surrey mansion, are gearing up for Christmas. However, Abbey is already bracing herself for the big day and Peter's contribution or lack thereof. "Will he be helping me with the Christmas lunch? No, that will be down to me," she reveals. Maybe he'll be serving the drinks? "Ha, no," she chuckles, "I think it's more like he will be serving himself!"
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