Rebecca Adlington, the acclaimed Olympic swimmer and I'm A Celebrity star, has joyfully announced she is expecting a child. This heartwarming news comes after a period of significant personal challenge, as Adlington had previously opened up about the profound heartbreak of multiple miscarriages, including the devastating loss of her baby girl, Harper, who was stillborn.

Adlington has been remarkably candid about her journey through loss. She first discovered a miscarriage during a routine 12-week scan in 2022. Tragically, in 2023, she was five months into her pregnancy when a scan revealed her baby had no heartbeat. Following these difficult experiences, the announcement of her current pregnancy was shared with a mix of cautious joy and open honesty, reflecting an 'emotional and physical rollercoaster' over the past 19 months of trying for a child.

Through social media, Adlington explained the decision to share her news: 'We questioned whether we wanted to share this news but we want to continue to be open and honest about our journey and be mindful of the struggles that others have had and continue to have.' She expressed immense gratitude for the care received from the NHS Rainbow Team, emphasizing how supported she felt. Adlington acknowledged the 'quiet struggles many face' and sent love to others still awaiting similar news, underlining her empathy and awareness.

Recalling the tragic birth of Harper, her stillborn daughter, Adlington shared the immense difficulty of giving birth knowing her baby would not open her eyes or cry. She praised the medical team for preparing her for what to expect, describing how they had put a hat and blanket on Harper. Despite the profound grief, Adlington's gut instinct led her to see her baby, a decision she is now 'so glad' she made. Seeing Harper allowed her to observe her development, her tiny nose and hands, providing a sense of closure she believes she would have regretted missing.

Beyond her personal journey with pregnancy, Rebecca Adlington has also faced health challenges, publicly sharing her coeliac disease diagnosis in March. The BBC Sports pundit revealed her condition on Coeliac UK's Instagram account, using her platform to urge fans to support a petition for gluten-free prescriptions, highlighting her commitment to advocating for those with similar conditions.