I'm A Celeb's Coleen Rooney's heartbreaking admission about sister's death

Coleen lost her foster sister at a young age (Image: GETTY)

Incoming  I’m A Celebrity star Coleen Rooney has opened up in an emotional interview on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast about the profound loss of her foster sister, Rosie, and the impact it had on her family.

Rosie, who was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Rett syndrome, was fostered by Coleen's parents and quickly became a central part of their lives.

“She came along... and my mum said we’re going to have this little girl for a bit longer than what we’ve had the other ones," Coleen recalled. "Everyone just fell in love with her... she’s the biggest inspiration to us all.”

Rosie’s condition meant that she faced constant health challenges, yet the mum-of-four described her as a source of joy, saying, “She’s battling and she’s in pain, but she still got a smile on her face and she’s still enjoying life.”

Coleen, married to footy ace Wayne Rooney, explained how the family spent many winters by Rosie’s side in the hospital, as her immune system struggled, particularly during the colder months.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney with their four sons (Image: Instagram Coleen Rooney)

"It always seemed to be her immune system was down in the winter and she got chest infections... no matter what, we were there,” she said. Despite knowing that her condition could worsen, the family’s devotion to Rosie was unwavering.

Coleen added, “No, it doesn’t take away the pain now. But you can prepare yourself in a way that it’s gonna happen at some point.”

Reflecting on the quiet strength of her parents, Coleen, 36, spoke about how they held it together for the family. “They stay strong. They always put on a brave face for everyone else... but that’s when they release,” she explained, revealing that her parents would often grieve privately at night. She noted the support they received from the hospice, which provided bereavement counselling and a remembrance service.

“The hospice used to do respite... they done lots of stuff for siblings and that’s important because having a child with disabilities for the parents is 24/7.”

Coleen shared how her parents' decision to foster children was a family decision, explaining that they sat her and her brothers down to discuss it.

Coleen is set to appear on the series of I'm A Celeb (Image: itv)

“They sat the three of us down and said this is what we would like to do, but we would only like to do it if you wanna do it as well," she said.

Looking back, Coleen expressed admiration for her parents’ dedication, adding, "It was special what they done... you’ve got to be a certain type of person to do that."

Though Rosie passed away when she was 14, her memory remains alive within the family.

The Liverpudlian, who made headlines during her bombshell Wagatha Christie courtroom saga against Rebekah Vardy, noted that her children, even those who never met Rosie, still talk about her as if they had.

“Kai was the only one that met her but they all remember or they talk about her still as if... they spent a lifetime with her because that’s how we’ve dealt with it speaking in the family and just keep her spirit alive.”