Denise Lewis: Inside Olympics presenter’s family life – from private children to famous ex

Denise Lewis was as soon as the Queen of British Athletics and following her retirement from skilled sports activities, it nonetheless holds a spot in her coronary heart as she continues to contribute punditry on the game.

Denise has been on our screens serving to us perceive all that is happening with athletics, and there is no one higher positioned to say, contemplating the star is a double Olympic medallist, successful a bronze again in 1996 Video games, earlier than changing into an Olympic champion within the heptathlon in 2000.

The racetrack additionally holds constructive reminiscences for the star, as Denise met her well-known ex-husband there. Take a dive into the athlete’s residence life, together with her personal youngsters and well-known companion…

Relationships

Denise managed to seek out love on the racetrack when she fell for Belgian sprinter Patrick Stevens. The pair stayed collectively for practically a decade, nevertheless, their relationship led to 2005.

Throughout their time collectively, Denise and Patrick welcomed a daughter, who they named Lauryn.

A 12 months after her break up with Patrick, Denise would stroll down the aisle with music supervisor Steve Finan O’Connor, who’s the son of the late gameshow presenter, Tom O’Connor.

Steve has managed a number of the largest names within the music trade together with Insanity, woman group All Saints and former One Route star, Liam Payne. The glad couple have since welcomed three sons: Ryan, Kane and Troy.

© Dave M. Benett

Though they did not marry till 2006, Denise and Steve first crossed paths in 2000, though the athlete was relationship Patrick on the time. Reflecting on their second assembly, Denise instructed the Mirror in 2006: “I used to be nonetheless with Patrick once I first met Steve, then we met once more extra not too long ago and it was form of love at second sight.”

Youngsters

Denise is a proud mum to 4 youngsters, welcoming daughter Lauryn, 22, whereas with ex Patrick Stevens and welcoming her sons: Ryan, 18, Kane, 16 and Troy, 5.

The previous Olympic star prefers to maintain her youngsters’s lives out of the general public eye, nevertheless, the delivery of her daughter Lauryn ended up costing her athletics coach. She additionally confronted an absence of assist from coaches and assist workers, describing herself as “a performing animal with no coronary heart and soul”.

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Charles van Commene coached Denise to her Olympic title, however left her in 2002 saying “motherhood and world-class athletics don’t combine”.

Chatting with Chelsea Magazines about her son Troy in 2020, Denise shared: “The primary 12 months appeared to go on ceaselessly, however with Troy, it has been a blur. I do not know if that is as a result of I am a bit extra skilled and taking issues in my stride, or if he is only a tremendous child!”

© Eamonn M. McCormack

The star additionally instructed the publication that son Ryan had turn out to be a “second dad” to younger Troy, spending a variety of time with the teen.

Though Denise retains her brood out of the highlight, she did drop a touch that the kids would possibly comply with in her footsteps with many having an curiosity in sports activities.

“My daughter is extra into well being and health – she performs a little bit of netball, however is sort of glad to go to the health club on her personal and use all of the totally different gear,” she defined. “My boys, then again, want the social aspect to train and enjoying staff sports activities.”