Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe reveals plans for parenthood – after split from ex Ryan Channing put an end to his surrogacy dream
Ian Thorpe has revealed that he very much plans to become a father.
Speaking to The Herald Sun on Friday, the Olympic swimmer, 38, said that parenthood is still on his horizon.
‘I’d love to be a father at some stage,’ he told the publication, adding that he hopes his children enjoy swimming as much as he does.
Baby love: Ian Thorpe has revealed that he very much plans to become a father. Speaking to The Herald Sun on Friday, the Olympic swimmer, 38, said that parenthood is still on his horizon
‘I’d love the kids in the pool, but I’d love playing in the pool and if they happen to like something else, I am happy with that as well,’ he said.
It comes after Ian’s split from ex Ryan Channing in 2019 put an end to the couple’s surrogacy plans.
Ryan was Ian’s first public boyfriend since he came out as gay in an interview with Michael Parkinson back in 2014.
Swim fan: ‘I’d love to be a father at some stage,’ he told the publication, adding that he hopes his children enjoy swimming as much as he does
In August 2019, a source close to Ian and Ryan told Daily Mail Australia that the pair had ‘rekindled their romance’ while holidaying in Ibiza, Spain.
They were even rumoured to be considering getting ‘engaged’.
‘They’re trying to find the nearest Cartier store for rings,’ the source said at the time.
But in November, Ryan told Daily Mail Australia that he was no longer in a relationship with Ian and also denied they had ever reconciled in August.
Exes: It comes after Ian’s split from ex Ryan Channing (pictured) put an end to the couple’s surrogacy plans in 2019
‘Ian and I have been separated for over a year now but remain close friends and [in] the same circle of friends. We still share our puppy Kaia. Everything is going great!’ he said.
Before their separation, Ryan and Ian were reportedly planning on having children together with the help of a surrogate based in the US.
The athlete is now rumoured to be in a romance with Nick Hudson, a handsome associate director for a large accounting firm.
Plans: Before their separation, Ryan and Ian were reportedly planning on having children together with the help of a surrogate based in the US