AS a trophy-winning football manager, Steven Gerrard is used to nurturing the next generation of talent on the field.
Now the Liverpool and Rangers legend is going one better in real life, as he’s set to become a grandfather for the first time.
Gerrard, 44, and wife Alex, 42, have four children together – Lilly-Ella, 20, Lexie, 18, Lourdes, 12 and Lio, seven.
Lilly announced on January 5, 2025, that she is expecting a baby with her boyfriend Lee Byrne.
She announced the news to the world on Instagram alongside two positive pregnancy tests and a pair of baby shoes saying: “Our little secret, the best news, mini us is on the way.”
Proud sports ace Gerrard, now managing Saudi side Al-Ettifaq, was evidently delighted as he instantly replied: “We cant wait. Great news and congratulations we love you.”
In celeb land, however, he’s going to be far from the youngest grandparent in town – with many welcoming grandkids in their 40s and 30s.
EastEnders actor Dean Gaffney welcomed his first grandchild at 43.
His daughter Chloe, 24, gave birth to little girl Mimi on July 7, 2020.
Speaking about his happy news, Dean said: “I’m so proud. Lots of my mates are becoming dads, but I’m a grandad at the same age.”
The actor joked that he hoped people would mistake the tot for his when spending quality time with her out and about.
Dean then became a grandad for the second time in January 2023 when Chloe went on to have another baby girl, Penelope.
Hollywood legend Whoopi Goldberg became a grandma at the oung age of 34 – and then a great-grandma at 58.
She welcomed Charli Rose in April 2014, who is the grandchild of her daughter, Alex Martin.
Whoopi, 69, joked at the time, saying: “Yea I’m a tad awkward it took me a minute, been a LONG time!”
Outside of the youngest family member, she has two other grandchildren, Jerzey and Mason.
Soap hardman Danny Dyer became a grandad at 44 when his Love Island daughter Dani gave birth to Santiago in January 2021.
In his podcast, Sorted With The Dyers, he said: “It’s odd to call myself granddad. It’s such an honour. In my head I’m still 20 in a way.”
He added: “I’ve just got to try and get my head around the fact that I could be a great-grandad by the time I’m 60. That’s what freaks me out more than anything else. Then a great great-grandad by the time I’m 80. F**k me.”
He’s since had two more grandchildren after Danni gave birth to twins, Summer and Star, in May 2023 alongside fiancé Jarrod Bowen who plays for West Ham.
The former James Bond actor, 71, became a grandfather at 44 when adopted daughter Charlotte gave birth to Isabella in 1998.
Just three years later, he welcome Lucas, Isabella’s little brother, and in 2015 his son Sean and his wife had Marley May.
“It’s just such a joy to be a grandparent … there is just something intoxicating about it and beautiful,” he gushed at the time.
“There is something very special about it. I think it’s the timing of your life … you know, your passage in life is going through and you’ve brought up a son or daughter and now you have a [grandchild], and you’re looking at the clock.”
Singer Cee Lo, 46, became a grandfather in 2010 while his hit song F*** You dominated UK charts.
At the time of the tot’s birth, the music producer was just 35-years-old.
The youngster was born to his adopted daughter Sierra Johnson – who appeared on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16.
Since then he appears to have welcomed more grandchildren, but it is not clear how many.
Gushing about his growing family on Twitter, CeeLo said: “My children/grandchildren call me poppi. My lil one Izzy is my biggest fan.”
Designated Survivor star Kiefer Sutherland, now 58, welcomed his first grandchild when he was 39.
His stepdaughter Michelle Kath, married to Scottish actor Adam Sinclair, gave birth to Hamish Sinclair.
And TV star Kieferwas smitten from the get-go.
In 2012 he said: “He’s one of the great pleasures of my life.”
Keifer now has a second grandson, called Quinn, but it is unclear when the little boy was born.
He shared an image of the youngest in his clan celebrating his birthday on social media.
He captioned it: “My grandson Quinn is celebrating his birthday today. Little does he know the pizza behind him is going to eat him…”
At the age of just 42, Kym became a first-time grandparent after her daughter Emilie welcomed her first child.
Sharing the news on social media at the time, she wrote: “Last night was a night I will never forget. I became a ‘Loli’ for the first time!!!
“My beautiful daughter was an absolute warrior and her partner and I were the best birthing team we could be!!”
Just four years later, Kym’s son David welcomed his first child, a baby boy, named Clayton Lenny David Cunliffe.
“Introducing…..Clayton Lenny David Cunliffe!!! Our beautiful new grandson was welcomed into the world on 17.08.22 weighing a whopping 10lb 7oz!!” Kym wrote to announce the news.
The now-48-year-old added how proud she is to be the little one’s ‘Yaya’ – the endearing term she’s coined for herself.
Ronan Keating became a grandad at the age of 46 as his son Jack – star of Love Island 2022 – revealed the surprise birth of a baby girl.
Jack, then 23, shocked fans by sharing his baby news just months after leaving the Love Island villa.
The baby is thought to have been conceived one month before he entered Casa Amor and failed to find love on the ITV2 show.
Boyzone legend Ronan, now 47, broke his silence on the baby news on The One Show.
As the show opened in March 2023, Ronan’s co-presenter Jermaine Jenas started the conversation by saying: “Well said grandad.”
Keating replied by telling him and the viewers: “Yes I am. My son had a gorgeous baby.”
Jermaine continued: “You prefer to be called something else don’t you?” before Ronan said he prefers “Pops”.
