In her first interview and photoshoot since welcoming her third child, Helen Skelton reveals in Source magazine that she has had a little girl and her name is Elsie Kate.
The Countryfile presenter has welcomed another baby with husband Richie Myler, and shared the joyful news on Instagram with the first photo of the newborn.
Without revealing the gender or name, Helen’s little one was seen tucked up in a car seat carried by proud dad Richie.
She captioned the post: ‘Can always count on dickie …. of all the things he’s said (there’s been a lot) “don’t worry I will be your lido…” while on route to hospital might be my fave. The man meant Doula. From the mouths of men.’
The TV star explained that the photo was taken earlier this week but hadn’t posted sooner as her mother ‘likes the family what’s apps to be ahead of insta’.
Helen added: ‘But mainly because I am still failing to find appropriate words of thanks for our @nhsengland @nhsmillion …. legends the blooming lot of them). #grateful #thanks #pregnancy #birth #newparents #newbaby #husbands #doula.’
Congratulating the happy couple, Strictly Come Dancing star John Whaite commented: ‘Welcome to the world beautiful baba. And congratulations family.’
Ben Fogle added: ‘Congratulations Helen 🙌 x.’
Helen, 38, and Richie, 31, are already parents to son Ernie, six, and Louis, four, and announced her pregnancy in September.
They shared the news with a photo of their children touching her baby bump, while stating how ‘grateful’ they were to be adding to their family.
It seems baby was a slightly early arrival as Helen previously said the due date was New Year’s Eve.
With challenge-loving TV star Helen for a mum, Leeds Rhino rugby league player Richie Myler as her dad, and two rough and tumble big brothers – Ernie, six, and Louis, four – the future is likely to be epic.
“If Elsie is outdoorsy and adventurous, that’s great,” says 38-year-old Helen, who is well known to viewers of BBC1’s Countryfile as well as hosting Channel 5’s This Week on the Farm, as she reveals her daughter was born on 28 December.
“If it turns out she wants to sit inside and do other stuff as she grows up, that’s cool too.
“I am a great believer in doing what makes you happy. I was brought up on a farm, and my mum and dad never pushed me into anything, but always instilled in me the belief that if you want to do something then go for it.”
Elsie’s big brothers had a say in choosing her name.
“The boys loved the name Elsie as it has an E and an L at the beginning.”
She adds: “We were always going to have Kate as a middle name after my cousin, who sadly passed away when we were in our 20s. I was really close to her; she was a scientist and crazy cool.”
Because they already have two boys, many people thought they were expecting a third child in the hope of having a girl. “But it wasn’t like that for us,” Helen tells Source. “We just wanted more children and we wanted the surprise.” Even though they decided not to find out, Helen was so sure she was having a daughter that she painted the nursery pink.
“I was convinced I was having a girl,” says Helen. “Now I am totally embracing the pink. With a rugby player and two feral boys, my world is testosterone-filled enough.”
Of dad Richie, 31, she reveals: “He is buzzing. All his mates have said to him how daughters are always daddy’s little girls.”
The little girl outweighed her brothers at birth, at 7lb 8oz. “Louis was just 5.6lb and Ernie was 7lb,” says Helen. “I thought she’d be small, but she is my biggest bubba!”
