Manchester United
Ex-Manchester United and Rochdale FC star Joe Thompson, who passed away in 2025 after a battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma, continues to be remembered fondly by family and fans. Joe’s widow, Chantelle, recently announced that she is expecting a baby boy, a poignant development that holds deep significance for her and their family.
Chantelle said: “It just means absolutely everything. I know it’s never going to replace Joe obviously. Joe’s Joe.”
Chantelle continued: “Maybe two weeks before he passed, we were just sat in the garden and he just had a realisation and was like, ‘I think I was watching you with the baby and the girls in the garden, not me physically here with you.'”
Reflecting on her pregnancy, Chantelle shared: “I was happy but I was just so surprised. It means absolutely everything, and to be blessed for it to work first time.”
Chantelle, who is 25 weeks pregnant, discovered she was expecting while in Bali, Indonesia, with her daughters. This news comes after the couple’s previous heartbreak of losing their child, Dre, who tragically died three days before his due date. Chantelle and Joe had undergone IVF for three years trying to conceive Dre, and the timing of this new pregnancy feels right to Chantelle, aligning with messages she believes Joe left for her.
In honor of Joe’s memory, friends, family, and fans will participate in a memorial walk on May 2, retracing Joe’s 2024 fundraising walk from Rochdale to Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford. This annual event aims to celebrate Joe’s life and continue the charitable work he was passionate about.
Chantelle added: “It’s just something we want to do annually, just to celebrate Joe and remember Joe, because life does go on for everyone else as well, and I think for us it’s important that we can continue the work he did when he was here, and keep that alive.”
As the anniversary of Joe’s death approaches on April 17, Chantelle admits to feeling anxious but remains focused on finding positivity amidst the challenges. Her resilience and dedication to preserving Joe’s legacy serve as a testament to the enduring impact he had on those around him.
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