Former Man City star Steph Houghton reveals pregnancy news

The 38 year-old former defender turned pundit is expecting her first child with her husband Stephen Darby, himself a former footballer.

She has been married to 37 year-old Stephen since 2018.

He started out at Liverpool and also played for Rochdale, Bolton and Bradford City amongst others until his career was cruelly short after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2018.

Steph, who made more than 100 appearances during a decade at City and who now works at BBC Sport, today (Saturday, July 25) shared the happy news that she and Stephen will become parents in a few months soon.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a photo of a heart shaped cake with the words 'Oh baby' written in icing across the top, the Mirror reports.

Lit candles and dried flowers were positioned on either side of the cake along with string of ultrasound photos.

Steph wrote: "Half of You. Half of Me. Our family will soon be three!" And revealing their child will arrive before the end of the year, the soon-to-be mum added: "Baby Darby 2026." She also tagged her husband in the announcement.

Friends, fans and famous followers were quick to jump on the happy news to share congratulatory words to the couple. TV star Helen Skelton was among those reacting to the post, sharing jubilant emojis in response.

Fellow footballer Alex Greenwood wrote: "Wow The best news, so happy for you both... congratulations" - and added a string of kisses. Fellow footballer turned pundit Alex Scott also added to the celebratory posts, writing: "Awwwww, amazing news!!! Congratulations so happy for you both."

Steph and Stephen have been open about many aspects of their lives in the past - including the challenges and trials they faced after his MND diagnosis.

She said and her husband had 'good and bad days' as they continued to adapt to his condition.

Steph told The Guardian: "In the first few years it was so hard to take in. "You don't want to believe it because you're like: 'Why us? We're only young and Stephen should still be playing football. It's not fair.' But the more you dwell on it, the more that it harms you. So I've learnt how important it is to be positive."

The couple have spotlighted charities that work to cure motor neurone disease. In 2024, they took part in a huge 178-mile walk from Bradford to Anfield for the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.