She’s loud, proud and full of life. But Lottie Ryan also has a vulnerable side and none more so than when she speaks about her 18-month-old son, Wolf. Married to Fabio Aprile, the 2FM presenter wears her heart on her sleeve and always tells it as it is. Here, she opens up about her little family, the guilt she felt returning to work after becoming a mum, and how she’s busy making plans to step out of her comfort zone this year.

Lottie, how is little Wolf? You flew to Italy with him for your sister Bonnie’s wedding last summer, how was that?

It wasn’t the holiday I am used to, holiday has a different meaning to it now. It was amazing nonetheless, particularly because of where it was in Italy. He got to meet Fabio’s grandparents and his extended family. I was Bonnie’s maid of honour so I wasn’t there to holiday in the first place, it is a job. Particularly when your sister is Miss Organisation and the queen of lists.

Read more: Bonnie Ryan shares picture with mum Morah as she gets married in style

Is it important for Wolf to have his Italian connection?

Yeah, because it’s so important to Fabio and his family. We want to give him the gift of having that heritage, being educated on it and being able to speak the language. Fabio adores going home to visit his grandparents and they’re very like Irish people in the sense that they’re so family driven and family orientated. I love that about them.

Does Fabio speak to him in Italian?

He does, and so does his nana. If we ever have nursery rhymes on the telly they’re always in Italian. I’m learning too and I’m going around crazily singing Italian nursery rhymes all the time. Imagine if he’s able to have that as a gift, I wish I could speak another language. It’s a guaranteed “A” in the Leaving Cert!

Was Bonnie’s wedding emotional?

It’s weird because I still think of her as being so much younger than she is. Bonnie is eight years younger than me, Rex is in the middle of us, and I’ve always thought of her as my baby sister. I still think of her husband John as being the same as the first time I met him. He has been a member of our family for a long time so them getting married was overdue. It was overdue in the sense that they had to postpone the wedding a number of times as well. By the time they got married I had been maid of honour for a few years, so I was emotional to be free of my duties [laughs].

Lottie Ryan poses in Dublin One hotel
Lottie Ryan poses in Dublin One hotel

Does Fabio get on well with John?

They get on very well, they are great mates. All of the other halves get on really well in the family, thank God. I’ve seen situations with friends where that’s not always the case and it can tear families apart. We’re all equally as weird as each other, so that’s a gift!

Your mom sold your childhood home in Clontarf recently. What was it like to say goodbye to it?

It was awful. I knew that my mum wanted to move on for a long time. In that sense I had been preparing mentally, but I didn’t expect to be so emotional to let go. I don’t remember living anywhere else, my whole life was spent inside that house. The inside of those walls have seen my entire life. All my traditions and milestones took place there. I found it really difficult when my family was gathered by my mum. She had laid out a load of memorabilia for us to take. The house was empty and suddenly it was just a shell. I walked around the house and said my goodbyes and thank yous to all the rooms. I don’t know if that is weird, but I did it nonetheless. It was time for another family to live there because we had all moved on. I hope it brings as much joy to them as it did for us. It is strange to let go of our childhood home, but I’m delighted for my mum because she has this fresh start.

Was it important for her to let go because you, Rex and Bonnie are all married now?

It’s a family house and a family should live there. There’s a lot of upkeep when not everyone is there to share the burden. Elliott has moved out too, so it was time. With all the will in the world, I’m sure we wish we could put all our pocket money together to buy and keep it. That just wasn’t a reality. It was time for a fresh start for mum and it was time for a fresh start for the house.

What did you do on the last day?

There was a last Sunday lunch and there was a day when we called to collect all the bits and bobs. I left pretty early because I got very upset. I didn’t think I could do the big goodbye. Everyone did their own small thing to say goodbye.

Lottie Ryan poses in Dublin One Hotel
Lottie Ryan poses in Dublin One Hotel

Did you take any particular bits and bobs?

I took lots of old photos, a statue we got of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse 30 years ago, it used to be over the fireplace in the back room, and a couple of my dad’s awards. It’s funny, you realise that crap doesn’t matter. When we were going through it all, nobody wanted the things, but we all fought over the pictures. You accumulate so much over the years, but most of it doesn’t really matter. We all wanted the pillow we slept on when we were five or the family albums.

Do you still have your Sunday lunch tradition?

We didn’t have one until Christmas Day dinner. My mum has been doing up her new place and I’m a terrible host. Bonnie is really good, actually.

Were you disappointed not to get the job as the new presenter of Dancing With The Stars ?

I got my chance. I got to host the show [when Jennifer Zamparelli was sick] and I never thought that would have happened in a million years. I’m very grateful and Nicky Byrne was a dream to work with. I’m still part of the show and I get to host the podcast. I’m delighted for Doireann Garrihy, genuinely. Anyone who works on the show says it’s amazing to be a part of, nobody doesn’t love it.

Your former pro partner Pasquale La Rocca has also left the show.

He’s a huge loss. His choreography speaks for itself and he’s a very exciting performer. He was on the Italian Dancing With The Stars and the schedule didn’t work out, which was unfortunate. I think viewers
will miss him.

You’re back presenting the official Dancing With The Stars podcast for a second year. How is it?

I love it. Lyra is back again and we’re bringing fans the latest news every week. I love the cast, it’s very diverse and I can’t wait to see who wins.

What are your hobbies? What do you do to unwind?

I love the gym, but having hobbies and any extra time are extremely rare. I’m still figuring out how to balance my time, if I’m being honest. It’s not easy. As well as there not being enough hours in the day the guilt is horrific, which I didn’t know would affect me as badly as it does. I love an hour to walk around the block by myself and I love going to the toilet by myself, it’s the small things! I love a podcast and watching crap reality TV, but it just doesn’t happen as much as it used to.

Lottie Ryan poses in Dublin One hotel
Lottie Ryan poses in Dublin One hotel

Is the gym for headspace or exercise?

Both! Going to the gym or dancing are the only times when my brain can’t focus on the negative because I’m concentrating on what I’m doing. My brain is constantly on, so I need a place where my thoughts are able to be directed towards something else. Obviously, having a baby is a double-edged sword so you go to the gym for other reasons as well. I always feel better after a good sweat.

You opened up on 2FM about your guilt over going back to work, has that eased as time has gone on?

It definitely eased. The first couple of months were hard, but I feel stronger now. It was my first time having a baby, so all the emotions that come with parenthood were brand new to me. All the opinions of other people were brand new to me. Because I was a first-time mum and I was still learning, I let other people’s comments affect me. I’m usually very good at having a thick skin on things. It’s awful how guilty you can feel. Headspace wise though, going back to work was the right thing to do. It’s important to talk to adults during the day and to do things that make you feel like yourself. The bills need to be paid as well, and that’s what it comes down to. People didn’t understand that when I went back to work.

Is it hard not to reply to unsolicited comments about your parenting?

I’ve never replied to comments, and I don’t usually read them. I don’t know why I let myself do it, but I did. The people don’t know that I saw them and I don’t know if they realise there is a person at the other end of the phone reading them. If you click into their profiles it is always mums with big families. It blows my mind, surely they should know better. Or their bio says “#bekind,” it is shocking to me. I would never presume to know somebody else’s circumstances or pass comment on how somebody chooses to live their life. People think I’m open game because of my job and that’s just not OK. Bitch about me to your mates, don’t send me the comments. I’ve risen above it now and I feel confident in my role as a mother.

Lottie Ryan rocks dress from sorchaoraghallaigh.com
Lottie Ryan rocks dress from sorchaoraghallaigh.com

Does your mum give you much parenting advice?

Not unless I ask for it, she’s really good at knowing where the line is. She doesn’t overstep the mark. Some people have parents that say “Don’t do that” or “This is what we used to do”.

What will Wolf call her?

She wants to be called Momo. She doesn’t want to be called Granny or Nana and Fabio’s mam is Nonno.

Is she a lot happier since moving to her place?

Yes, definitely! Once she got a new interiors project, which she’s obsessed with, that sparked great joy for her. There’ll be way less cleaning too. There’s definitely a pep in her step.

Finally, do you have any hopes or dreams for 2023?

I’ve made a list of things that I would love to achieve and I’ve already started that. I’m hoping they will come to fruition in the first part of the year. I’ve two big things that I want, but I won’t say because I’m terrified of jinxing myself. They’re things I would never have expected myself to do. I’m hoping they’ll happen, fingers, legs and toes crossed!

Interview by Mikie O’Loughlin

Photography by Lili Forberg

Hair by Nadine Walsh @nadinewalshe_hair

Make-up by Ben Sun @bensunmakeup

Styling by Laura Mullett
@lauramullettstylist

This interview appeared in the February issue of RSVP Magazine

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