Who is Katherine Ryan and her husband Bobby Kootstra? Do they have children together?
Katherine Ryan has been entertaining British audiences for over a decade with her witticism and cheeky humour.
She and her partner Bobby Kootstra, childhood sweethearts, have been together since 2018 and welcomed a baby together last year.
The comic’s next foray into our screens is with Bobby in one of Channel 4’s hottest shows.
Read on to find out all about the couple.
Katherine Ryan (pictured at the UK premiere of The Last Duel) has appeared in Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week, Would I Lie To You? and its own competition
Canadian star and husband Bobby Kootstra attended the National Comedy Awards in February 2023, months after having their second child together
Celebrity guests gathered at The Ned’s Club in September 2021 to celebrate the launch of Katherine Ryan’s memoir The Audacity
What is Katherine Ryan’s background?
Born in Ontario, Canada, Katherine Ryan left home at age 18 to study urban planning.
However, she found her first success as a waitress at Hooters and moved to the UK to open the chain’s first UK branch in Nottingham.
In 2008, Katherine won the Funny Women award, but had to wait until 2012 for her first major UK TV appearances.
Since then she has starred in a slew of comedy programs such as Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week, Would I Lie To You? and its own competition.
Hit show All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewelery Star hosted by Katherine was axed from BBC 2 after two series
Who is Bobby Kootstra?
Bobby Kootstra has been Katherine’s partner since 2018, although they have known each other since their early days in Canada.
Childhood sweethearts, the two initially broke up before rekindling things on this side of the Atlantic.
Bobby works behind the camera, unlike Katherine, in broadcasting.
The couple got a registered partnership in 2019 and went to Denmark for the ceremony.
Katherine told ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show: ‘It was a lovely day. It’s perfect to have a registered partner.
“We didn’t have a wedding, I didn’t have to put on a white dress and pretend to be a virgin, that ship has sailed!”
Katherine was in a civil partnership with childhood sweetheart Bobby in December 2019, in a low-key ceremony in Denmark after the couple rekindled their romance
Katherine and Bobby welcomed their second child together in December 2023
How many children does Katherine Ryan have?
In December 2022, the couple welcomed their second child together, a daughter they named Fena Grace.
Bobby praised his wife’s “strength” after birth.
He said, ‘Mommy is incredible! Her strength has been proven time and time again by the relatively long delivery at home. We are so blessed :)’
They had their son Fred in July 2021, who was their first child as a couple.
However, Katherine also has another daughter, Violet, from a previous relationship, who is more than ten years older than her brother and sister.
Katherine’s oldest daughter, Violet, is more than ten years older than her brother and sister
Katherine Ryan and her husband Bobby Kootstra will give their first glimpse into their lavish London home when they take part in Celebrity Gogglebox
Is Katherine Ryan on Gogglebox?
In June 2023, it was announced that Katherine and Bobby would be the newest editions to the Celebrity Gogglebox lineup.
The comedian said she was “excited” to take part in the hit show.
She said The sun: “It’s usually just the dogs that see us watching TV, so we’re excited to welcome viewers into our home while we rest on our favorite spot: the couch.
“We’ve been big Gogglebox fans for years and we’re thrilled to get involved.”