TV star and comedian Katherine Ryan is expecting her fourth child with her husband Bobby Koostra after sharing her wishes for more children
Comedian Katherine Ryan is expecting her fourth child. The TV star, 41, is already a proud mum to teenage daughter Violet, 15, as well as son Fred, three and daughter Fenna, two, with husband Bobby Kootstra.
Katherine first gave a hint that she was pregnant while making an appearance on her daughter Violet’s TikTok page last week, while the teen was sharing her reviews on UK Crumbl. On Monday, the star stepped out at the Ageing and Biohacking: The Science of Immortality at SXSW in London, showcasing her blossoming baby bump.
The star was glowing as she wore a figure-hugging dress, which highlighted her bump while posing on the red carpet. Katherine proudly posed for pictures before appearing on the stage as part of the talk.
A spokesperson for Katherine confirmed the happy news when approached by the Mirror. The news comes just months after Katherine underwent surgery after being diagnosed with skin cancer. She first spotted the signs after noticing a mole was changing. Prior to this, she had previously been diagnosed with stage two melanoma at the age of 21. Despite doctors insisting that her mole wasn’t cancerous, she demanded testing on it.
Katherine gave fans a glimpse of her bump while making an appearance on her daughter’s TikTok page (
Image:
TikTok/violetryan13)
She said on her podcast: “The mole kept changing, I know a lot about melanoma, I had stage two melanoma as a very young woman – aged 21 – on my leg, I’ve spoken about that before. But even when he looked at it, he was like, ‘it’s not melanoma, it’s totally fine, I will do a shave and send it away for testing’.” The comic went on to add that although her doctor assured her it was nothing to worry about, she felt differently.
After the mole was removed, she asked them to take out a larger portion and close it up with a straight stitch. But, Katherine revealed that even when the doctor looked at it, he said “‘It’s not melanoma, it’s totally fine, I will do a shave and send it away for testing.'” Soon after the doctor reassured Katherine once more that it was likely not melanoma, she was called back with the confirmation that it was cancerous.
Earlier this year, Katherine opened up on her wishes for a fourth child as she admitted she didn’t think time was on her side. The former Celebrity Gogglebox star visited a fertility clinic with husband Bobby and discussed the chances of them being able to conceive.
Katherine was glowing as she stepped out on Monday at an event in London (
Image:
Getty Images for SXSW London)
In the second season of her hit U&W show, At Home With Katherine Ryan, she said: “It’s not that surprising that over-40 women have fewer follicles than we once did
“But we talk a lot about male fertility as well, which is on a steep decline. But I would still like a fourth baby. We are so blessed to have the kids that we do have. Having children is not for everyone, but I personally really like making people. I think it’s a superpower, if you can do it.”
Things haven’t always been easy for the couple as they have welcomed two babies, had three miscarriages and juggled Bobby’s move to the UK from Canada.
Katherine and Bobby first dated when she was 15, before rekindling their romance in 2018 when she returned to Canada to film BBC show, Who Do You Think You Are?
Adjusting to co-parenting with Bobby has taken some time for Katherine, who had previously raised her daughter Violet alone after becoming a single mother at 25.
The comedian had previously expressed her desire to have a fourth child (
Image:However, she has been keen to add to their growing brood. Opening up on her concerns, she told OK! Magazine last year: “I’m old. I used to think I was going to be the babies’ dad because I’m working but actually I’m like their grandmother.
“My back hurts, sometimes I give them treats. I’m like a fun grandma.”
Speaking about their fertility, Katherine added: “We’ve always gotten pregnant with the babies quite quickly. I’ve been pregnant five times in five years, but that also means I’ve had three miscarriages in five years and the likelihood of that increases as you get older.
“You have to find a balance between what you can personally stand and risks you’re willing to take.” Katherine has made it clear that surrogacy isn’t for her.
“It’s controversial to say but I wouldn’t want that labour – both literal and also the workload – to fall on another woman,” she said. “I think surrogacy is wonderful. It’s beautiful for people who are really eager to offer it and for couples who need it but for me, I think it would be exploitative.”
Katherine also spoke about how having children with Bobby has been different to when she was a single parent. “Now Bobby has come into the picture, the babies are here and everyone is well supported because we’re a family unit,” she explained.
“I think arguably it’s better for the children to have siblings and a dad at home, but Violet and I were really happy and I like to intensely love one thing or one person.”
