Former Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Peaty, 30, has admitted he’s struggled to “get that balance” in his family life, while apologising to partner Holly Ramsay, 25, for having to “share the same space”.
During an appearance on the Live, Laugh, Luke… with Luke Hamnett podcast, just a couple of months before his wedding to TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s daughter this weekend, the athlete was asked about the importance of his role as a father to his five-year-old son George, whom he shares with ex Eiri Munro.
Luke said: “Talk to me about how important it is for you to be a dad,” to which Olympian Adam replied: “It’s the most important job in the world for me.”
He went on to hint at his hopes to have more children with Holly in the future, adding: “And, as a father, to hopefully have future children and stuff, [it] does not matter about anything else, that is my number one job.
“Yes, I don’t get to spend as much time with him as possible, as much, because of my job, but we have a very fair balance, a very good balance, and for me, that is the most important one.”
Further explaining his priorities in life, Adam apologised to Holly for how she has to “share” his attention with his son, but went on to clarify that the influencer and model is very understanding.
He confessed: “And then we have husband… they kind of share the same space, sorry Hol, but they do share the same space, and she gets it.”
In his list of personal accolades, Adam also included his 2021 Strictly stint with Katya Jones, during which they finished in ninth place, but said he “lights up” the most when he spends quality time with his son.
He continued: “But then after that, it’s athlete, then it’s business owner, then it’s ninth on Strictly!
“But I think for me, and I don’t want to get too deep, but I’m a very emotional person and I’m a thinker, but that energy, and love, and light inside of me comes out most when I’m with him, so I love that.”
Adam went on to admit that although he has his priorities in order, “it’s hard to get that balance” between all aspects of his busy life.
The gold medal winning swimmer has been in the midst of family drama recently, as his mum Caroline and dad Mark were noticeably absent from his wedding to Holly, after some of their relatives were said to have been uninvited from the ceremony.
It has been reported that Adam’s sister Bethany was the only member of his side of the family to attend the wedding. Tensions are believed to have escalated after Adam’s mum was not invited to Holly’s hen party.
Caroline claimed to The Mail just hours before the wedding: “I don’t think they understand how much they have hurt me; it’s as if they have cut my heart out.
“This is the first Christmas that I’ve not had my family together – my family is broken. Yes, I have my other grandchildren. Yes, I have my other children, but my family is split because of the goings on…because of the wedding.”
Adam made a statement about the reported feud in the lead-up to the wedding, writing on Instagram: “For those who know me personally, you know that I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place.
“I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times.
“Bethany, Holly and I will get through this – we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story. To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding – thank you. It is deeply appreciated.”