Tom Hiddleston makes rare comments about parenting as he shows off his biceps in a smouldering Men's Health cover shoot

Tom Hiddleston has told how 'it's such a privilege to be someone's father' as he made rare comments about his children in a new interview. 

The actor, 45, who shares two children with actress fiancée Zawe Ashton, 42, opened up about fatherhood in a chat with Men's Health UK, in which he smoulders in a running inspired photoshoot. 

The couple, who began their relationship in 2019, keep their family life private and have chosen not to publicly share the names or genders of their children. 

However Tom, who showed off his biceps as he graced the October front cover ahead of starring in Apple TV’s Tenzing next month, briefly offered an insight into life with his young family as he detailed why it was so important to stay in shape for them.

Sharing why he wanted to be active for his kids for as long as possible, Tom said: 'I want to be fit and strong for my children. I’m so aware that they are watching me and I’m a model for them. It’s such a privilege to be someone’s father. And I mean that humbly. 

'It’s such an honour to live up to what that means. And both my children, to introduce them to the joy of movement and the joy of their bodies…I want to keep up with them. I want to play with them.'

The Thor star went on to say that playing and engaging in fun activities with his children is the driving force behind him wanting to stay as fit and healthy as possible.

Tom added: 'I want to carry them and run with them, play football with them. To swim and chase and throw them up in the air. And so, that now is the motivation. Trying to hold on to it for as long as I can.'

The Loki actor certainly looked on fine form in the photoshoot for Men's Health UK, displaying his muscles in a black vest top, with Tom also working up a sweat as he runs in other shots.

Tom went on to discuss the meditative power of running, calling it his 'happy place' where he does all his 'best thinking' and works through his 'problems'.  

The full interview is available in the new issue of Men’s Health UK. 

Tom and his wife-to-be Zawe welcomed their first child in October 2023, before welcoming a second tot in November 2025. 

It comes after Tom gushed that becoming a parent is a 'life-altering' experience as he confirmed in December that he and his fiancée welcomed their second child together.

The star – who mainly keeps his relationship with The Marvels actress out of the spotlight – briefly opened up on the topic during a recent interview with GQ. 

Tom expressed that birth was the 'most beautiful, profound, earth-shattering, life-altering' experience. 

However, he did not give additional details in regards to becoming a father of two or when exactly the little one was born. 

Back in October 2022, both Hiddleston and Ashton quietly welcomed their first child – after becoming engaged eight months earlier. 

A source told Us Weekly at the time: 'Tom and Zawe are loving being new parents and are filled with joy.'

The insider added that both stars were 'having the struggles of new parents and aren't sleeping much but are thrilled'. 

Tom and Zawe first met in 2019 while starring together in the Harold Pinter play Betrayal in London’s West End before taking the production to Broadway. 

They were romantically linked soon after, making their red carpet debut as a couple at the Tony Awards in September 2021.

In March 2022, it was reported that they were engaged after Zawe was spotted wearing a diamond ring at the BAFTAs. They quietly welcomed their first child later that year.