REBECCA Adlington has won four Olympic medals in her career but her marriage to fellow swimmer Harry Needs attracted a lot of attention.
But who is four time medalist Rebbeca’s ex-husband and what is he doing now that he has retired?
Harry Needs was born in London, England, where he lived and trained as a competitive swimmer during his educational years.
He studied physical education, art, design technology and interactive computer science while swimming at an international level.
Harry decided to step away from swimming after he didn’t qualify for the London 2012 Games.
Upon finishing his competitive swimming career, he married four-time Olympic medallist, Rebecca Adlington and relocated to Manchester.
On June 21, 2020, Needs revealed he’s bisexual.
Speaking on a Q&A on his Instagram, he told his fans: “This is a question I’ve avoided every day of my life so far, mainly because I strongly dislike labels despite not knowing a solution to avoid them.
“But if I had to answer I would people that I’ve always been bisexual #ahh.”
After his marriage to Adlington, Needs embarked on a new career as a Personal Trainer, while also participating in a part-time BA (Hons) Graphic Design Degree.
Although Rebecca has confirmed that she will not be swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she continues to work as a sports pundit for BBC TV.
The pair got married on August 31, 2014.
They split up in 2016 after 18 months of marriage but have remained on amicable terms since.
At the time Rebecca blamed their age difference (he is three years younger than her), and that he ‘idolised’ her for her high status in the professional swimming world.
The pair had a daughter, Summer, who was born in June 2015.
Speaking on Summer’s birth, Adlington said: “It was the most weird and incredible experience, when the midwife put Summer on my chest for the first time, it was surreal.
“The relief that came over me was incredible.”
Although they have split, Rebecca and Harry continue to co-parent their daughter Summer together.
Rebecca supported supported Harry after he came out as bisexual, stating that he had confided in her a year before choosing to share the news.
Andy is Rebecca’s new husband, who she tied the knot with in August 2022.
Rebecca was accompanied down the aisle by her daughter Summer.
Summer acted as flower girl and ring-bearer for her mother, who surprised her new husband by playing Tom Odell’s Grow Old With Me as she entered the ceremony.
Rebecca met Andy on dating app Bumble in 2018, before welcoming son Albie in March 2021.
The pair were expecting their second child together, but tragically Rebecca discovered the baby had no heartbeat at her 20 week scan.
Rebecca, 34, wrote on Instagram: “I don’t really have the words right now but unfortunately we went for our 20 week scan this week and they discovered no heartbeat.
“I gave birth to our angel, Harper on Friday at 7pm. We held her, and had time with her.
“We will forever love and remember her always.”
Rebecca thanked the staff at Wythenshawe Hospital for caring for her and praised partner Andy for his “selfless support, love and help” and said she “couldn’t have survived without him”.
