BBC star welcomes second baby aged 51 after ‘surprise labour and devastating journey’
'It was long, exhausting, and utterly devastating at times.'
Irish TV presenter Amanda Byram has welcomed her second child at the age of 51 in what she called a ‘surprise’ labour.
The Total Wipeout presenter announced the happy – yet surprise – news on Valentine’s Day in a social media post.
‘And just like that, we are four… Introducing the most wonderful, gentle, soul, Jett Indy Byram Okines,’ she wrote.
Amanda and her husband Julian Okines already share three-year-old son Phoenix, and she seemed over the moon at the new addition to the family.
She continued: ‘Jett’s recent arrival was quite the surprise – as my wonderfully low key pregnancy was suddenly interrupted when my waters broke a month early… and 36 hours later, my second little man powered into our lives like he had been here forever!!
‘We know that we are beyond lucky to have a second miracle in our lives, and feel so grateful to all the magnificent doctors and nurses who aided us in our IVF journey.
Amanda – who presented Total Wipeout with Richard Hammond – welcomed her first child Phoenix in 2021 (Picture: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)‘It was long, exhausting, and utterly devastating at times, but I wouldn’t change a single thing given that it all led me here to my two incredible boys… one my heart and the other my soul.
‘I hope sharing this can be a source of inspiration for those parents in-waiting… I know the odds are against us but it can happen!!’
On announcing the birth of Phoenix in 2021, Amanda uttered similar sentiments about her fertility journey.
She talked about the ‘heartbreak of the hope that turned to hopelessness, the elation that turned to devastation and the strain putting this often-secretive journey before your job, your friends, and your life’.
Addressing others who have struggled, she said: ‘I know many brave parents-in-waiting who, like us, have struggled for a long time, so today we share this magical news in the hope it can inspire and offer a light at the end of the tunnel. You are powerful warriors, I know your pain, and I see you. We send you all the strength you need to tackle your journeys…
‘Now that he is finally here, we realise we have never been more ready or felt more mentally, physically, and emotionally equipped to be his mummy and daddy.’
She also thanked her ‘rock’ Julian for encouraging her to ‘hang in and keep going’.
Amanda and Julian Okines have been married since 2016 and share three-year-old Phoenix (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)‘After every tear, every tumble, every heartache, your positivity made everything seem possible again. It’s thanks to you, your energy, and your enthusiasm, that we are all here together today,’ she said.
In 2015 Amanda said she was worried about waiting to have a baby.
She said: ‘Look, I’m 42. And I never really wanted to go down that road until I was really, really sure I had met the right person…
‘I think there are choices you make as a woman, you can choose to do it by yourself, to do it with somebody even if you are not convinced they are the right person. Or you can wait for the right person and then maybe find it is too late…
‘We have been together a year-and-a-half. I’m fit, I’m healthy, there are no problems in that sense. So who knows? It’s in the hands of the gods.’
The Irish star began dating producer Julian in 2014, and they got married in April 2016.
The Total Wipeout host previously dated comedian Patrick Kielty, and was engaged to former rugby union player Craig McMullen.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
