David Gandy, long celebrated as one of the world's highest-paid male models, known for his piercing gaze and chiseled physique, has candidly opened up about a dramatic shift in his lifestyle. The former jet-setter has traded catwalks and glamorous locales for the realities of fatherhood, embracing school runs, solo sleeping arrangements, and even discussions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the school gates. This transformation paints a new picture of the Essex-born hunk, now a devoted family man.

Gandy shares his life with partner Steph Mendoros, a barrister, and their two daughters, Matilda, aged six, and Tabitha, three. His journey into parenthood has been filled with both joy and unexpected challenges. Following Tabitha’s birth in 2021, Gandy recounted spending three months sleeping alone on the floor. This self-sacrifice ensured Steph, who was breastfeeding, could get much-needed rest with the baby, as Gandy felt he would be a "hindrance" in the bed during those crucial early months. This period occurred while their new house was being built, forcing them to stay in Steph's old flat where space was limited, leaving Gandy to find improvised sleeping spots like a "dog."

His experience during labour was equally memorable and humorous. Gandy admitted to "failing at labour," comparing himself to George Clooney’s Dr. Doug Ross from ER, convinced he was delivering the baby. He humorously recalled being "at the business end" and having the midwife politely ask him to "get out of the way" and retrieve her stool. In a moment of curiosity, Gandy also tried the gas and air intended for Steph, which promptly knocked him out, leading to the midwife struggling to wake him when Steph needed him. These candid revelations offer a rare glimpse into the less glamorous, yet deeply personal, aspects of his life as a new father.

Since settling down with Steph, David's social circles have shifted from fashion industry elites to fellow parents. He now frequents school gates, engaging in conversations with other dads that range from everyday concerns to surprising topics like HRT patches and their effects. This marks a significant departure from his previous globe-trotting existence, which once involved taking around 100 flights a year. With an estimated £12 million fortune, Gandy’s career highlights include his iconic 2007 Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue fragrance campaign, which saw him pose in tiny white briefs, launching him to international stardom. He also boasts high-profile campaigns for Burberry and Hugo Boss and maintains a massive social media presence.

Beyond the immediate challenges of early parenthood, Gandy also reflected on broader issues of child-rearing and societal changes. He believes there's a lack of education for men regarding the profound hormonal changes women undergo before and after childbirth, advising husbands to simply "put up with it" and respond with "OK darling." On parenting styles, Gandy expresses a desire to raise his daughters with more freedom than he observes in contemporary parenting. He fondly recalls his own childhood in Billericay, where at nine, he would cycle five miles unsupervised, a stark contrast to his modern parental anxieties over his children being outside for mere seconds.

While he aims for a laid-back approach, Gandy is not a fan of "gentle parenting." He enforces rules such as no iPads at the dinner table, prioritizing conversation and engaging activities like colouring. He emphasizes politeness and self-reliance, teaching his daughters to ask respectfully and do things for themselves. He draws inspiration from his own upbringing, where a stern look or his mother's humorous threat of "taking your pants down in front of everyone and smack your bum" was enough to instill discipline, though his parents never actually resorted to smacking.

At their London home near Richmond Park, David Gandy has settled into a domestic rhythm, humorously describing himself as a "live-in chef" and "waiter" for his daughters during morning routines. He prepares breakfast to their specific orders, ranging from porridge to waffles with honey, joking that Matilda "must think she’s at a Michelin-star restaurant." Despite not being a morning person, he manages the early chaos by preparing things the evening before, with his espresso machine being a crucial ally to start his day. His transformation into a dedicated father reflects a profound reprioritization, demonstrating that even supermodels find their greatest roles in family life.