Wayne Rooney has humorously attributed his decision to undergo a vasectomy to none other than the beloved CBeebies character, Mr. Tumble. The former Manchester United and England star jested that enduring the children’s program for a fifth time was simply too much to bear.

Rooney, now 40, didn’t hold back his feelings about the popular TV character during the latest episode of The Wayne Rooney Show. In a lighthearted moment, he openly admitted his aversion to Mr. Tumble, portrayed by Justin Fletcher, who has charmed audiences across the UK with his show, Something Special, and live performances.

In conversation with hosts Kae Kurd and Kelly Somers, along with guest Steve Bracknell, Rooney recounted an amusing anecdote: “I can’t stand Mr. Tumble. I found myself in the dressing room for Match of the Day, and he was right there next to me.”

Clarifying his comments, Rooney added, “It’s not about what he does—I just can’t go through watching it again after having already endured it four times with each of my children.” His playful confession left both his co-hosts and audiences entertained, offering a glimpse into the lighter side of the football legend’s life.

‘The reason I hate him, well I don’t hate him for what he does, is just that I’ve had to sit through it four times with every kid. 

Wayne Rooney has amusingly blamed CBeebies legend Mr Tumble for his vasectomy because he ‘couldn’t go through’ watching the series for a fifth time

Mr Tumble, played by Justin Fletcher, was first a part of the popular CBeebies show Something Special but has now become so popular that he tours the United Kingdom performing

Wayne and Coleen share four children together called Kai, Klay, Kit and Cass

‘It’s got to the point now where I just can’t. He’s the reason I’ve got the snip. I couldn’t have another kid to go through it again.’ 

Rooney underwent the procedure back in 2018 after the birth of his and Coleen’s youngest, Cass.

Despite speculation that the reality TV star wanted a girl, Coleen explained in a 2023 interview that she and her footballer husband ‘knew their family was complete’ after the birth of their fourth son.  

‘After the birth of every one of my kids the press is always interested if I’m going to have another baby and it’s always, “would you like a girl?”,’ Coleen began. 

‘I always thought I’d have a few kids, maybe three at the most, but then number four came along and we knew our family was complete then. 

‘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. 

‘I’d heard about this procedure where you could choose the gender of your children but it’s something I’d never considered doing.’ 

Having met when they were just 12 years old in Liverpool, Wayne and Coleen started dating at the age of 16 before eventually marrying in 2008, during his days playing up top for the Red Devils. 

Coleen revealed in an interview in 2023 that she and Wayne knew their family was complete after the birth of their fourth son

The couple married in Italy in 2008 while Rooney was still playing up front of Man United

Kai, their eldest son, is following in his father’s footsteps and plays for Man United’s Under-18s

Kai, their eldest son, was born a year later and is currently following in his father’s footsteps as he looks to forge a career for himself in the world of football. 

The 15-year-old joined United’s academy in 2020 at the age of 11 and has steadily worked his way through the youth ranks with the help of his experienced father. 

Speaking about Kai’s progress in the summer, Rooney Sr explained: ‘He just plays, that’s what he’s always done. It’s unfair to expect too much – he’s only 15. But he handles the pressure of his surname very well.’ 

Rooney Jr has made the step up to United’s Under-18s team this season, but unfortunately suffered an injury early on this season which has kept him out of action for almost three months. 

He heartbreakingly picked up the knock just weeks after bagging his first goal for the Under-18s with a sweetly struck left-footed volley against Middlesbrough’s youth team.