Frank Lampard's daughters call Christine Bleakley 'mum' - Mirror.co.uk

Frank Lampard and Christine Bleakley

IT'S just not Christmas without a family row, but Frank Lampard and Christine ­Bleakley's spat with Elen Rivas is going to carry on into the New Year.

I can reveal that Frank and Elen's kids have started calling Christine "Mum".

Elen, 36, hit out at the couple, saying that she had been "deliberately stopped" from speaking to daughters Luna, six, and Isla, four, on Christmas Day.

Christine responded indirectly on Twitter, saying she didn't think it was the place to set the record straight, but pals have since opened up about the row.

Last night a source close to the couple said: "Elen announced she was off on holiday for three weeks over Christmas and New Year and wouldn't be taking her mobile.

"Frank and Christine were delighted to have the children for the whole festive period and have been having an absolute ball.

"Christine's been spending an increasing amount of time with the kids. They adore her – and vice versa. They've taken to calling her 'Mum', which is incredible – she's so touched.

"Frank received a text from Elen informing him she didn't have her mobile on her, but could be contacted on this other number. It was all pretty odd. Elen rang to speak to the children at 3am on Christmas morning, which wasn't exactly ideal.

Elen Rivas (PIc:FilmMagic)

"When Christine read Elen's Twitter comments she was understandably incensed and incredibly frustrated.

"She spent Boxing Day with her sister Nicola and the kids, taking them for a country walk after Christine's mum cooked lunch for both the couple's families at their London home."

Christine and Frank (Crank?!) have been to Winter Wonderland with the kids and are going away on a "family minibreak" in the new year. Elen jetted off to New Delhi in India a fortnight ago and pals say she is, "visiting an old friend".

A source close to Elen says she is, "happy for Frank to have the kids this Christmas as she had them last year", adding: "She just wanted to make sure she could speak to them on Christmas Day."