Rio Ferdinand’s bride Kate Wright was walked down the aisle by her previously estranged dad as the ceremony brought them together
RIO Ferdinand’s bride Kate Wright was walked down the aisle by her previously estranged dad, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Electrician Phil Wright, 59, told how he was overcome by joy to be by his daughter’s side after they healed a family rift.
He said: “It was an amazing wedding and I felt very proud.
“There has been a lot of emotion all round . . . it’s been a mad few days.”
Also at the ceremony at D Maris Bay hotel in Marmaris, Turkey, was Kate’s beloved mum Jacqueline, who split with Phil when their daughter was three.
Kate, 28, previously told how relations with her dad were soured to such an extent she was not invited to his wedding when she was nine.
The former Towie star, who is stepmum to ex-Manchester United and England defender Rio’s three children, said of the snub: “I will never forget that.
“So that’s a big point because I don’t ever want Rio’s kids to feel how I felt when I was younger.”
But Phil saw Kate’s interview on ITV’s This Morning last year and decided to call her.
He told the Sun on Sunday: “It wasn’t just Kate that was upset she didn’t go to my wedding. I was not allowed to invite her.
“But it was never awkward between me and Kate, it was awkward between me and her mother.”
The call led to Phil being invited down from Lincolnshire to Kate and Rio’s mansion in London.
Then, nine days ago, he walked her down the first half of the aisle at her wedding.
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Rio’s sons Lorenz, 13, and Tate, 11, took over for the second half, with their sister Tia, eight, walking in front.
Chelsea fan Phil said of his son-in-law, 40: “He is great. He seems to have his head screwed on right.
“And no doubt he will introduce me to Chelsea’s manager Frank Lampard one day . . . ”
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