Former footballer Joe Thompson says 'miracles do happen' as he shares family's baby joy after cancer battles

Former Rochdale AFC footballer Joe Thompson said 'miracles do happen' as he proudly revealed he and his wife are expecting a baby later this year. Joe and his wife, Chantelle, are parents to daughter Thailula Lily, but last year revealed the heartbreaking loss of a baby boy.

Joe, who twice battled back from cancer to play for his boyhood hometown club Rochdale, said in May 2021 their son Dre's heart had stopped beating before he was born. Now he's shared the wonderful news that 'baby Thompson' is due in August.

In a social media post inspirational Joe - who retired in 2019 after announcing he had 'battled through some of life's hardest challenges, and managed to overcome them' - said his family had gone through 'years of IVF'. He also shared an image of beaming Chantelle and Thailula Lily, together with a hospital scan.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson gives 'wholehearted apology' over 'partygate' fine, but insists he didn't know he was breaking Covid laws

His family, said Joe, had been 'blessed with a natural miracle baby'. The 33-year-old former Dale midfielder and winger said in a Twitter post: "Miracles do happen.

"After cancer twice, a stem cell transplant, years of IVF and the heartbreaking loss of our baby boy Dre last May. We've been blessed with a natural miracle baby! I never make promises I can’t keep! Happy Tears."

And on Facebook he said they were told a natural pregnancy wouldn't be possible because of the stem cell transplant he underwent.

He posted: "Baby Thompson due in August. Connecting your emotion to your vision, results in miracles. After years of IVF and the heartbreaking loss of our son Dre last year. We have been blessed with a natural miracle baby!

"Never let anyone define your destiny they said