Laura Whitmore announces ‘unexpectedly early’ birth of second child

By Pierra Willix, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter

Laura Whitmore has announced the “unexpectedly early” arrival of her second child.

The Irish TV presenter and former Love Island host, 41, has been married to Scottish comedian Iain Stirling since 2020.

Whitmore gave birth to their daughter in March 2021, with the couple then announcing they were expecting their second child together in February this year.

The star announced the birth of her second baby with a post to social media, sharing a snap of the newborn’s hand resting on her chest.

She captioned the post: “A new player has entered the game!

“We welcomed the most precious baby last month, unexpectedly early and with dramatic flair (wouldn’t expect anything else). I had made a 5 hour birthing playlist this time…only played about 3 songs – ended up using it post birth.

“It’s a reaaally good playlist, can somebody please use it.”

Whitmore added: “Been enjoying baby smells, lack of sleep and scrumptious hands and wrists.”

She was quickly inundated with messages of support, including from Sophie Ellis-Bextor who commented “ah congratulations”.

“Congratulations Laura,” Outlander actress Caitriona Balfe wrote.

“Ugh could just bottle it up!!! Congratulations to you all,” former Love Island star Shaughna Phillips added.

Meanwhile her husband shared a post of his own, which showed a white knitted beanie and boots for their baby, as well as a jumper which had “littlest living legend” embroidered on the back.

“Say hello to our newest living legend,” he wrote.

“I always wanted someone in the house who would stay up late and watch the World Cup with me. But this feels a little excessive.”

Whitmore and Stirling have kept the name of their first child private, and are yet to reveal their newborn’s name.

When announcing her second pregnancy, Whitmore – who hosted Love Island from 2020 until 2022 – shared a series of photos on Instagram, which she captioned: “Instagram V Reality. Spoiler: It wasn’t just a big meal mama ate.

“She’s been cooking away! I’d like to thank stretchy pants and travel sick bags,” she wrote.

In the snaps, she could be seen showing off her growing baby bump.

Whitmore has been in a relationship with Stirling – who is the narrator of Love Island – since 2017.