Footballer Kyle Walker and his wife Annie Kilner have been spotted putting on a united front in a family photo with their four children, despite rumours of marital strife. 32 year old Annie has reportedly been contemplating divorce from Kyle, 34, after a tumultuous few years, which have seen him admit to being unfaithful and fathering two children with influencer Lauryn Goodman.
However, the couple spent the festive season together with their children; Roman, 13, Riaan, eight, Reign, five, and eight-month-old Rezon. Manchester City star Kyle shared a heartwarming snap of the family in matching plaid pyjamas in front of a Christmas tree on his Instagram Story to ring in the New Year.
Despite the smiles in the photo, reports suggest that the couple's relationship is merely cordial amid speculation about their marriage. It was reported last year that they had stopped communicating and Annie had filed for divorce in October.
Despite the rumours, it was reported that the couple planned to spend Christmas together for the sake of their children. A source told The Sun: "She couldn't bear the thought of him waking up alone on Christmas Day without his children. They're putting everything to one side to save the kids from any more heartache."
Since then, a source has told the Daily Mail that Kyle and Annie are not "fully reconciled" despite spending Christmas together. They said: "It has been a difficult road and they are up and down. At this point they do not know if they will be able to be fully reconciled. The ultimate goal is that the children are OK.", reports the Mirror.
They also shared that during their separation, the pair vowed to "stay united" for the sake of their kids, adding that the divorce is currently "on hold" as they figure out what the next year "might look like for them" while still sharing a roof.
The Manchester City defender and Annie have been through the wringer after it emerged he fathered two children with Lauryn, 33, who recently appeared on Celebs Go Dating. Kyle shares little ones Kairo, four, and Kinara, one, with Lauryn. Kyle had been with Lauryn while he and Annie were on a break initially, leading to her first pregnancy, but was later unfaithful to Annie with Lauryn, which led to her second pregnancy.
Following the bombshell that Kyle welcomed a second child with Lauryn, it was reported last year that Annie needed "some time away" from him, although whispers later suggested a reconciliation.
Despite being seen with her wedding ring on at an event last month, Annie was noticeably not wearing it in a photo she posted just a few weeks later.
