Former England captain Millie Bright has revealed she is expecting her first child with influencer barber Tom Mitchell, marking a new chapter in the life of one of the most decorated figures in English women’s football.
Bright, 33, shared the news in an interview with Women’s Health, admitting that keeping the pregnancy private had been difficult but saying she and Mitchell were thrilled about becoming parents.
“It’s been very hard to keep it a secret, but it’s finally out,” Bright said.
“It’s the greatest gift you can be given – to bring a life into the world – so we’re excited.”
A New Chapter After Football
The pregnancy announcement comes only months after Bright stepped away from international football and pulled out of England’s squad for the European Championship in Switzerland.
The former Chelsea defender had previously spoken about not being happy with her situation before announcing her decision to leave the game behind.
Her retirement brought an end to a remarkable 12-year career during which she became one of the most formidable centre-backs in women’s football.
Bright played every match during England’s victorious Euro 2022 campaign and subsequently helped the Lionesses reach the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.
Romance With Tom Mitchell Blossoms
Bright and Mitchell publicly confirmed their relationship earlier this year, around four months before announcing their pregnancy.
The pair initially met while working together on content but soon discovered that their relationship had developed beyond their professional collaboration.
“Turns out we ended up creating something a lot more special,” they said when revealing their romance.
Since then, the couple have regularly documented their relationship, sharing glimpses of holidays, glamorous events and everyday moments through their joint social media presence.
From Film Premieres To New York Adventures
Their relationship has included appearances at film premieres and awards ceremonies, alongside trips to Portugal and the United States.
During their time in America, Bright and Mitchell watched England defeat Panama at MetLife Stadium in New York during the World Cup.
The couple also took a helicopter ride over Manhattan, which they described as an “unforgettable” experience.
Their joint Instagram account has become a record of what they describe as a life filled with “laughs, chaos, adventures” and random moments away from the spotlight.
Mitchell Opens Up About Becoming A Father
Mitchell, who operates his own salon in Sheffield, said he was overwhelmed when he discovered that Bright was pregnant.
He recalled waking up and immediately becoming emotional after learning the news, describing the hours that followed as an intense mixture of excitement and emotion.
“I was very excited when I found out,” Mitchell said.
“I jumped up out of bed and then I was an emotional wreck until about 3 or 4am in the morning.”
Bright Discusses The Challenges Of Pregnancy
Now in her second trimester, Bright has also opened up about adjusting to the physical changes brought by pregnancy.
The former professional athlete admitted that the transformation had initially been difficult because she had spent much of her life maintaining an exceptionally athletic physique.
“It’s been difficult,” she said. “I’m used to being very athletic and my body fitting into certain clothes, and that’s been changing.”
Bright said she has gradually become more comfortable with the changes and is now embracing her pregnancy with greater confidence.
“Now I’m embracing it and I feel good about myself, confident and happy, because I’m getting to the stage where I look pregnant and feel pregnant, whereas before I just felt unfit,” she added.
A Trophy-Laden England Career
Bright leaves football with an extraordinary list of achievements behind her.
She won 19 trophies with Chelsea and established herself as a key figure in England’s golden generation, including during their historic Euro 2022 triumph.
Her contribution to the women’s game was formally recognised when she was appointed an OBE in the 2024 New Year’s Honours.
The honour recognised her achievements with England, including winning the European Championship and captaining the team to the Women’s World Cup final.
A Previous Engagement To Levi Crew
Bright’s personal life has previously attracted considerable attention.
In 2020, she began dating American performance coach, nutritionist and personal trainer Levi Crew.
The couple eventually moved in together in Surrey with their two French bulldogs, Zeus and Hera.
Bright later revealed the depth of their relationship through a tattoo on her left forearm featuring Crew’s eye alongside part of a tiger.
She described the tattoo as representing her partner and the strength she carried with her “through thick and thin.”
Crew Proposed During A Tropical Christmas Holiday
The couple became engaged in December 2023 after Crew proposed during a tropical Christmas getaway.
Bright announced the engagement on social media at the time, sharing photographs of her ring and expressing her excitement about their future together.
However, their engagement did not lead to marriage, and the relationship eventually ended.
Controversial Chapter With Dave Zetolofsky
Bright later became involved in another high-profile relationship with Dave Zetolofsky, a former professional kickboxer and martial arts enthusiast.
Zetolofsky was married to Katie, with whom he shared seven children, when his relationship with Bright became known.
According to reports at the time, Bright met Zetolofsky after beginning training at his 21st Century Combat gym in Redhill, Surrey.
The relationship reportedly caused considerable distress for Zetolofsky’s wife, particularly after the couple separated.
There was no suggestion that Bright and Zetolofsky had cheated on their respective partners, while Bright reportedly told friends that the relationship had no connection to her decision to withdraw from England duty.
Bright Looks Ahead With Mitchell
The former Lioness has now moved into a markedly different phase of her life with Mitchell, with the couple preparing to welcome their first child.
After years spent competing at the highest level of women’s football and experiencing intense public attention around both her career and relationships, Bright is embracing motherhood alongside her new partner.
For the retired England captain, the arrival of her baby represents a deeply personal milestone following one of the most successful playing careers in the history of the women’s game.
