Jessica Ennis-Hill's childhood sweetheart husband, £1m property, decision that left her in tears

Jessica Ennis-Hill's childhood sweetheart husband, £1m property, decision that left her in tears British athletics icon Jessica Ennis-Hill will once again be on television screens as the European Athletics Championships get underway this week Jessica Ennis-Hill will be reunited with her British fans this week as she makes her comeback at the European Athletics Championships. The London 2012 Olympic gold medal-winner will be part of the BBC's coverage of the competition as she helps introduce the current class of elite track and field talent. The best on the continent will go head-to-head in Birmingham in search of glory over the next six days. Ennis-Hill won European gold in the heptathlon in Barcelona back in 2010, not long before she went on to realise her Olympic dream on home soil. A number of Team GB athletes will be targeting similar acclaim at Alexander Stadium this week. And as Ennis-Hill returns to our screens, Mirror Sport takes a look at the person behind the three-time world champion almost exactly 10 years on from her retirement. JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page Childhood sweetheart The athlete formerly known as Jessica Ennis adopted husband Andy's surname following their marriage in 2013. The teenage sweethearts met at King Ecgbert School in Dore, Sheffield, when they were kids and have been together ever since. Andy finally got down on one knee in 2010 when he proposed at their home on Christmas Eve. And it certainly had the feeling of a yuletide miracle for Ennis-Hill, who couldn't quite believe her childhood beau had finally worked up the courage to pop the question. "He was saying all these lovely things," she told Hello! magazine at the time. "I thought, 'It really sounds like he's going to propose, but he can't be'. Then he got the ring out of his pocket. It was an amazing feeling." Andy said: "You had a little tear in your eye. We've always talked about it and it just felt like the time was right. Christmas is quite special for me and Jess." Although the years may have passed since the pair said 'I do,' their love for one another has not. Ennis-Hill has shared posts in the past commemorating the pair's anniversary, hailing her hubbie for his dedicated work as a partner and dad to their two children. Beautiful home A loving family needs a home to match and Ennis-Hill reportedly bought a beautiful four-bedroom property with her partner in 2012. The £1million residence on the outskirts of Sheffield is just a stone's throw from the Peak District and is also very close to where the retired Olympian grew up The Standard reported at the time of the purchase that the home features a large kitchen with bespoke granite worktops, as well as a billiard room. It also came complete with three reception rooms and an 'entertaining terrace' ideal for hosting guests. Former England footballer Chris Waddle and retired cricketer Michael Vaughan just so happen to live in the same neighbourhood. Emotional decision As is only natural for one boasting such a competitive streak, Ennis-Hill struggled with the thought of returning to athletics after having her first child. Timing can often be everything in sport and the career of any female athlete can become complicated by motherhood. Athlete-turned-podcaster Ennis-Hill made the brave decision to return to competition after she had son Reggie in July 2014. And it took courage from both sides of the debate, first to re-enter the sporting arena and once again take on the world's best but also to leave her young first-born behind for a spell. She made the decision to compete at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, which took place just after her son's first birthday. However, that's not accounting for the considerable amount of time she will have had to spend away while training in preparation. "It was just the most awful thing, I cried my eyes out leaving him," she told The Independent in 2022. "But I was like, 'If I’m going all the way to [Beijing], I’m not coming back without a medal. It’s got to be worth it when you’re having time away from the kids. “I was [thinking] I have this amazing opportunity, I’ve got to do this last bit and I wanted Reggie to see it all – but I then I had all this guilt kind of ravelled around everything. "And a feeling of, what if I put this last bit of energy towards my career and then I get injured? Or I don’t win a medal and it’s all been for nothing? I found that really, really challenging. I was always questioning myself." Her decision ended up being totally worthwhile, at least, as she proved her quality was everlasting to win gold in China.