Kate and Rio Ferdinand ready to quit the UK as they eye up Dubai relocation

are planning to quit the UK for good for a life in Dubai and have already started looking at lavish properties to house their entire family. The couple first and have now decided it is the right time to relocate, according to reports.

It is believed that the former TOWIE star, 33, and the ex-England footballer, who share two children together will travel back and forth to the UK to fulfil their work commitments.

And a move to Dubai will greatly enhance Rio's business developments. Kate is also a step-mum to Rio's three children from his previous marriage to his late wife Rebecca Ellison, who

The couple are also said to be searching for schools for their large family. Kate and Rio first met in Dubai in 2016 via mutual friends and hit it off straight away. Three years later, the pairin a lavish ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

A source told The Sun: "Rio and Kate are seriously considering being based out in the Gulf and are looking for a sprawling home with plenty of bedrooms. They love the lifestyle and sunny weather and have lots of friends out there."

The insider continued: "It's a very safe place for families and offers a healthy lifestyle, which suits them well. It holds a special place in their hearts as that's where they met and both could easily travel back and forth for their work commitments in the UK."

Showing their commitment to the country, the pair shared with fans an adorable snap of them on New Years Eve soaking up the rays, looking relaxed and loved up as ever.

Kate captioned the post saying: "Rio & I met 8 years ago yesterday. Who would have thought that fast forward to now we would be back in the place we met, married, with 2 more beautiful children, 5 in total."

She added: "It's crazy to think that a chance meeting, and so many hurdles thrown our way we would be ready to see in the new year as a family of 7(just missing our Lorenz). "

And while Kate and Rio seem to be living the perfect life as a blended family, it hasn't always been that easy for the former reality TV star to take on the role as mum, to Rio's children.

In a recent interview with Times Magazine, she expressed that she experienced her fair share of ups and downs - as one of the children reminded her that she was not their mum, following a heated argument.

She recalled the moment one of Rio's three children told her: "You don't know because you're not a mum. " She went on to say: "The minute they said it, there was a gasp. They've never said it again." She added: "But I'm not their mum. But I act like a mum and I see them as my children."

And at the beginning of her budding relationship with the former player, she revealed that she struggled with knowing how to take on the daunting role .

She confessed to the publication: "Simple things like I forgot to cut their toenails. I was so busy trying to do everything perfectly and someone pointed out they needed their toenails cut."

She continued: "Or cooking. I couldn't cook very well when I met Rio and the kids. I would burn everything. I would go, 'Is it nice?' and they would say, 'Not really.'"

Before meeting Rio, Kate was in a long-term relationship with TOWIE star and fans saw her devastation as their romance dwindled. Dan then moved on to dating Amber, while Kate quit the show to focus on her flourishing relationship with Rio.

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