I think he vastly underestimated the public love for Helen and Helen herself. She is universally adored, especially after Strictly. it doesn’t matter how many articles Daddy Zip pays for - he has had the biggest reality check ever. I wonder if his resentment stems from that. That he got so carried away with Zippy that he didn’t realise what he’d lost until it was gone
You’re definitely right in the vastly underestimating. I also think he must need help to go from a doting dad to excluding those 2 boys in particular suggests there’s issues here. He walked out on Helen whatever the circumstances but the children are HIS responsibility.
Zippy is a wannabe WAG she’s got what she wanted. She’s a WAG with a baby. I don’t know but I get the impression that all the established wives and girlfriends at the club are still very good friends with Helen. I can imagine they have rejected her so the dream didn’t quite come true. She’s also very selfish, self centred and lacks in self confidence. She can’t compete on any front with Helen.
Richie is probably desperate to hang onto the Thirkills let’s face it RL players don’t earn big money he’s at the end of his career. his reputation is completely shot he’s brought the reputation of the club and the game down. He’s got no chance of getting a well paid job and doesn’t seem to have enough about him to retrain. This is also why his mum is so quick to like posts and gush compliments. This relationship fails and he’s finished.
it’s always the long game for me in life. Helen’s children will be high achievers with a mum like her and of course she has lots of connections. I can see in years to come Helen’s kids will reject him. I hope Helen finds love again and those children will have a real Dad who steps up and never lets them down.