Max Whitlock's childhood sweetheart wife, being Britain's most successful gymnast and why he's not competing at the Commonwealth Games

Max Whitlock has dominated the men's British gymnastic scene for many years and quickly became Britain's most successful gymnast. The sporting star is currently a guest presenter for the BBC coverage of the Commonwealth Games as he is not competing himself due to injury. You can read the full lineup of presenters and commentators here.

The sporting star has numerous medals and titles to his name and is also married to his childhood sweetheart. Max is married to Leah Hickton, who is also a gymnast.

Max who is from Hemel Hempstead, met Essex-born Leah at the local children's gym South Essex Gymnasts Club when he was just 12 years old. The couple have been together for 14 years and became engaged in 2016.

Max proposed to Leah in the Lake District. She told The Express: "It was a beautiful place and we went for a walk around the grounds and he laid down a picnic blanket and asked me."

The sporting star said the proposal was "probably more nerve-racking than being in an Olympic Games". Max and Leah married in 2017 and in 2019 welcomed their first child, a daughter called Willow.

Max posted the news on Twitter. He said: "Welcome Willow Whitlock to the world – Born Saturday February 23, weighing 7lb 13. It's the most amazing, proud indescribable feeling! My girls are incredible".

At the time, Max told HELLO! Magazine: "Willow is definitely my proudest achievement. She's so happy and already smiling – it's definitely not just wind! – and she’s just such a chilled baby. We’re very lucky."

In 2020 Max spoke about gaining a "newfound respect for Leah" after her eight hours of labour. He told The Daily Mail: "Watching her go through eight hours of labour in hospital was one of the scariest feelings in the world. She was