Ronan Keating and wife Storm talk blended families and their first baby together as he reveals he’s ‘the most excited he’s ever been’
THINGS are getting very heated between Ronan and Storm Keating.
Within minutes of them arriving at our Fabulous shoot, Ronan has ripped off his shirt and a pregnant Storm can’t keep her eyes (or hands) off her pop star husband.
It’s not surprising because Ronan – or Ro as Storm affectionately calls him – is looking seriously buff.
Storm, 35, watches with a glint in her eye as the chiselled singer flexes his muscles to cram in press-ups (complete with claps) and tricep dips, before his six-pack has to face the camera.
In-between shots, they tenderly kiss and cuddle and the Boyzone star, 39, laps up the showers of affection.
It is clear they’re seriously in love. And they definitely aren’t afraid to show it.
It’s no different during the post-shoot interview. Ronan strokes Storm’s neck as he takes a backseat and relaxes on the sofa, letting his wife answer many of the questions for them both.
Storm (born Sharyn Storm Uechtritz) influences other areas of the besotted star’s life, too, with songs on his latest album Time of My Life dominated by his new happiness.
As he walks around topless, Ronan shows off the tattoos he’s had done in tribute to their five-year relationship, including jigsaw pieces featuring the names of Storm and his three children Jack, 17, Missy, 15, and Ali, 11, from his first marriage to Yvonne Connolly, 43.
You get the feeling that Ronan can’t quite believe that he’s got a second chance at love.
He first met Oz-born Storm on the Australian X Factor in 2010, where he was a judge and she was the show’s producer, and they quickly became friends.
Behind the scenes, Ronan’s marriage to childhood sweetheart Yvonne was in turmoil – after they struggled to get over his seven-month affair with Boyzone backing dancer Francine Cornell in 2009 – and in late 2011 they split after 14 years of marriage.
Shortly afterwards, Storm – who is now focusing on her lifestyle blog and fashion projects – went through her own heartache when her three-year marriage to finance chief Tim Ivers, 35, ended in 2012.
Ronan and Storm found solace in each other and started dating a few months later.
By April 2015, they were engaged – a month after Ronan’s divorce was finalised.
They married in Scotland that August and Ed Sheeran sang their first dance song.
It’s this surprise new beginning that caused Ronan to credit Storm from saving him from a “dark” place, believing he “didn’t deserve to be this happy.”
But the past isn’t up for discussion today.
“We did all those interviews five years ago. We are so focused on pushing forwards and don’t want to keep bringing that up and talking about the past,” Storm insists.
“For us, it’s a new life and a new family.”
The future for the couple certainly looks bright.
Last December they announced that they were expecting their first child together and moving into a converted farmhouse in north-west London.
We sit down with the couple to find out what makes their relationship tick.
How would you describe your relationship?
Ronan It is honest, loving, compassionate and warm. It’s passionate, which I believe is very important, but it’s also fun. I always try to make Storm laugh!
Storm It’s very comfortable. I feel like we’re two best friends having the best times of our lives together.
R It’s so easy and natural. There are no pretences.
S We see 100% of each other.
And has Storm changed you, Ronan?
R Certain values have changed and I’m a bit more hands-on. We live a simple life and don’t have cleaners. I cook and do my own laundry.
Do you see yourself as a brand and take inspiration from the Beckhams?
R The Beckhams are really inspiring and have very elegantly risen to being the most powerful brand in the country. I’m sure a lot of couples look at that and say: “Wow.” We never set out with any goals, and I don’t think we’ve ever thought we’d be like them.
Congratulations on the news that you are expecting your first child together. Storm, you’re just over the six months mark – is Ronan being a supportive partner?
S He’s too supportive sometimes – I have to tell him to stop! He does everything for everyone all the time. I’m so grateful, but I do have to tell him that I can do things by myself. I don’t want him running after me. I want him to relax and enjoy it as much as I am. He knows that I’m very independent.
R It’s actually hard sometimes because I like to do things, so it winds me up. I’m like: “I just want to make you a f**king cup of tea!”
Have you found out the sex of the baby?
R We have, but everything is so out in the open that we’re holding on to that for ourselves.
Is Ronan going to be at the birth?
S Oh my god, yes!
R We’ve been together on this every step of the way. [laughs] Well, obviously!
S That’s our relationship. I don’t have anything to hide from Ro, and Ro doesn’t have anything to hide from me. Our whole relationship is so open and honest. It can be a bit warts and all, because what you see is what you get. But it’s liberating to have such trust and security to be ourselves in each other’s company. It will be the same with the delivery – if I’m seeing it, then he’s seeing it! I don’t know if I could do it without him.
R It’s wonderful seeing how much of an earth mother Storm has become. She’s really embracing the whole thing and taking it in her stride. It’s a very exciting time for us and we’re blessed.
Are you enjoying seeing Storm’s body change?
R I love her bump – it’s so petite and beautiful – and she looks incredible. It’s very sexy. I’m allowed to say that because she’s my wife. When she’s getting dressed, it’s just fab.
S Too much information, Ro!
Ronan, have you braced yourself for sleepless nights again?
R I want to enjoy it all – for me that is really important. We’re a team.
S It’s going to be slightly different for you this time round. I made a decision to do it the traditional way and don’t want to have maternity nurses and live-in nannies. I’d like to be hands-on and breastfeed. So he’ll have to get up [at night]!
Surely you’re a pro by now, Ronan?
R For me it’s brand new. This is something we’re doing together and it’s a wonderful experience. That’s very exciting and I’ve really welcomed it every step of the way. I think it’s the most excited I’ve ever felt about anything. [Pauses] Are you OK, Storm?
S [Welling up] Yes!
How did the kids react to the news?
R The kids are very excited, which is wonderful. It’s a really great time for us all.
S Ali FaceTimes me every day, asking how big the bump is and if she can see it. She wants to touch it when it’s kicking. We all think of names together.
R Their input is really important, and we’re a big happy family. We’re very lucky.
Blended families can be difficult. How have you managed to get to the big happy family stage?
S They’re great kids. I think they can see how much we love them, and have from the start. We make a real effort with all the things we do and decisions we make [include them]. Even [getting pregnant] wasn’t something we just threw ourselves into. We have progressively all gone there as a family one step at a time.
R When we got engaged, the kids and I asked Storm to marry us. They felt involved all the way – Jack was my best man, Missy maid of honour and Ali our flower girl. That’s really important to me, to them and to Storm. It was a very conscious [effort], but it also happened very naturally and wasn’t forced. We have a great relationship and I love them to bits.
S It possibly could have been tricker if Ro’s relationship wasn’t as strong as it is with the kids. They know there’s unconditional love, and they come first for both of us. From the moment I came into Ro’s life they were the priority. You can’t fake love or kindness. When they’re in our home, it’s a happy place and that’s something we’ve worked really hard to create.
Storm, how have you found being a stepmum?
S To be completely honest, I don’t think it’s ever easy. Everybody has to adjust. There are moments you’re challenged, but also times where your heart wants to burst. It’s a complex situation, but so long as the communication between the kids and me is positive and happy... They know I adore them and will do anything for them. You have to work at it, because there are lots of different emotions and you’re not their real mother. There are things you have to be aware of in my position and you can’t overstep the mark.
R You do it very well. You’re incredible. It’s amazing to watch them all together.
S They were never in a situation where they felt isolated from their father. I never came in and then swooped him away.
The kids live in Dublin with their mum Yvonne. How often do you get to see them?
R Every second week. We either go over there or they come here [to London]. Because I’m working a lot, the kids will jump on a flight so they can spend time with us. You make it work.
Was it a big decision to put your relationship in the spotlight?
R We took it slowly. Storm was so nervous about our first public appearance [in December 2012] that she made this strange noise on the red carpet.
Do you both remember what your first impressions of each other were?
S I hate the cliché of love at first sight, but I remember I had this feeling of “woah!” He was the opposite of a diva [on Australian X Factor] so growing up as a country girl, he was my cup of tea.
R Our relationship was grown from friendship. I was going through what I was going through and Storm was going through her own thing. We spoke and had an understanding of each other and our situations. Finding a friend like that was phenomenal for me.
How did it grow from friendship into a relationship?
R It took a long time – three years – as I was going back and forth to Europe. We had a lot of distance and two different lives. But the more time we spent together over the years, the closer we got. I really liked her.
S It was over a curry after everything happened and diffused back home.
R She paid for the bill, which really bothered me! She wants to be independent and stand on her own two feet. I find that very sexy.
You were both recovering from failed marriages. Were you nervous about finding love again?
S In life, some of the most painful situations can lead to the most incredible outcomes. I would definitely see us as an example of that. Had we not gone through [our divorces], then we wouldn’t have found each other. He’s my soulmate. If I hadn’t had the guts to take a leap of faith, then I would never have found this.
R Likewise for me. You can stay in situations just for the sake of it. That can be a very dangerous thing and tough on your soul and heart. Taking that leap and believing in it... [Pauses] It was such an important thing in my life.
S It is easy to stay in a relationship and keep doing the same old things.
R People deserve to be happy.
S When you find the right person there’s no doubt, and there’s no doubt here. You can have a massive row and you’re still going to spend the next 60 years together.
R Do what’s right for you. It’s really important and I’m so happy.
How did you get the courage to put yourself out there again?
R You lean on each other. It was figuring out whether we were the right person for each other.
S We had to consider our actions in terms of Ro having three children. He was from the other side of the world and had a very different lifestyle. It wasn’t appealing to me or my family, as we’re country folk. There were a lot of things I knew would be very difficult if I chose to date him. I loved him as a person, but didn’t love all the s**t that surrounded him.
R It took time to charm her.
S We’ve been through situations in our relationship that would break ordinary couples. You have to make big decisions, and some of them are really hard. I’m trying to dodge [specifics], but obviously there are lots of things you’re challenged with. Had we not been through those tests – which at the time were awful – we wouldn’t be as strong as we are now. Our relationship is indestructible and no one is ever going to be able to break it.
Ronan and Storm will host The Emeralds & Ivy Ball on February 25, supporting Cancer Research UK and The Marie Keating Foundation.