Stephen Darby and Steph Houghton expecting first baby
Former England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton has announced she and her husband Stephen Darby are expecting their first baby later in 2026, sharing ultrasound images on Instagram after years of living with his motor neurone disease diagnosis from 2018.
Key Takeaways
- Steph Houghton and Stephen Darby are expecting their first child, due before the end of 2026.
- Houghton shared the news on Instagram with ultrasound photos and a heart-shaped “Oh Baby” cake.
- Darby, a former professional footballer, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2018.
- The couple married in 2018 and support the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.
- Stars including Lucy Bronze, Micah Richards and Helen Skelton offered congratulations.
What did Steph Houghton announce about Stephen Darby?
On Saturday, 25 July 2026, the 38-year-old former Lioness and BBC Sport pundit posted that she and Stephen Darby will become parents for the first time. Her caption read: “Half of You. Half of Me. Our family will soon be three! Baby Darby 2026.”
The Instagram update featured ultrasound pictures alongside a heart-shaped cake iced with the words “Oh Baby,” lit candles and dried flowers. Houghton tagged her husband in the post, making clear the baby is expected before the year is out.
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Why does Stephen Darby’s MND diagnosis make this news matter?
Darby, 37, is a former footballer who began at Liverpool and later played for clubs including Rochdale, Bolton and Bradford City. His career was cut short after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2018, when he and Houghton had been married for only three months.
Houghton was in Spain with Manchester City when she learned of the diagnosis. The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation was set up after that news to raise awareness, fund research and support families facing the disease.
The Times framed the pregnancy as arriving after doubt linked to Darby’s MND. The pair have spoken openly about adapting to good and bad days since the diagnosis. In 2024 they took part in a 178-mile walk from Bradford to Anfield for their foundation.
How have friends reacted to the Stephen Darby baby news?
Congratulations poured in from football and TV. Helen Skelton responded with celebratory emojis, while Alex Greenwood called it “the best news” and Alex Scott wrote that she was “so happy” for them both.
BusinessCloud also noted warm messages from Sally Nugent, Micah Richards, Jack Grealish and Lucy Bronze. Houghton, who made more than 100 appearances across a decade at Manchester City and won 121 England caps, is widely known as an ex-Lioness captain turned pundit.
The announcement closes a deeply personal chapter for Houghton and Stephen Darby: a first baby after living publicly with MND, advocacy work and the everyday reality of a life rewritten by diagnosis.