Wayne Rooney has made a hilarious confession about why he decided to have a vasectomy - and it's all down to a beloved children's TV character.
The Manchester United legend revealed on his BBC Sport podcast that CBeebies star Mr Tumble was the reason he opted for the procedure, joking that he simply couldn't face watching the show with another child.
The 40-year-old former England captain made the amusing admission during the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, declaring that after enduring the programme four times with each of his sons, he'd reached his limit.
"He's the reason I got the snip! I couldn't have another kid to go through it again," Rooney quipped.
Wayne Rooney has four children with Coleen: Kai, Klay, Kit, and Cass
|The unexpected topic arose during a conversation about holidays on the podcast. When co-host Kelly Somers mentioned that Mr Tumble performs at Butlins, Rooney launched into an impassioned response.
"I hate Mr Tumble," the former footballer declared to hosts Kae Kurd and Kelly Somers, along with guest Steve Bracknell.
"I was in the dressing room for Match of the Day, and his dressing room was next to me; Justin his name isn't it?"
He explained his frustration stemmed from years of viewing: "And the reason I hate him, I don't hate him and what he does, but I've had to sit through it four times. Every kid. I've been through him four times."
Rooney underwent the procedure in 2018 following the birth of his and Coleen's fourth son, Cass.
The thought of watching Mr Tumble again was enough to force Wayne Rooney into getting the snip
|PA
The couple's decision marked the end of their family expansion plans. In a 2023 interview, Coleen revealed they both felt their family was complete after Cass arrived.
"Me and Wayne talking about him having a vasectomy. He said after this baby that's it, we're not having anymore, and Wayne went in and got the snip so I knew for sure we wouldn't have anymore children," she shared.
The reality TV star also addressed persistent media speculation about whether they'd try for a daughter, confirming they'd never considered it.
Rooney's unexpected revelation left everyone in the studio in stitches, with even the production crew unable to contain their laughter.
Wayne Rooney has revealed he will be having no more children
|Football content creator Steve Bracknell immediately spotted the headline potential, chiming in: "There's your headline! Mr Tumble made me have the snip - Rooney."
The comments sparked amusement among podcast listeners too, with fans sharing their own experiences of children's TV fatigue.
Wayne Rooney is currently a pundit, having held jobs at clubs like Derby and Plymouth as manager
|GETTY
Away from CBeebies discussions, the Rooney family continues making headlines through eldest son Kai, 15, who's following his father's footsteps at Manchester United's academy.
The teenager joined the club in 2020 and recently scored his first goal for the Under-18s before suffering an injury setback.