Saturday, April 24, 2010
Baby joy for Caron Keating's widower Russ Lindsay and his new wife Sally Meen
Posted by org at 2:39 AM
Former GMTV weathergirl Sally Meen and showbusiness agent Russ Lindsay - the widower of Blue Peter star Caron Keating - have announced the birth of their first child.
Daughter Tilly Jennifer Lindsay - who will be known as TJ - weighed 5lb 13.5oz.
She was delivered on Friday morning at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital following a medically advised Caesarean.
Former TV personality Anthea Turner - who was named as TJ's godmother yesterday - was present at the birth along with Miss Meen's mother.
Lindsay married 41 year-old Miss Meen in September 2006.
They wed two years after his first wife Caron Keating, daughter of broadcaster Gloria Hunniford, died of breast cancer aged just 41.
He has two sons, Charlie, 13, and Gabriel, 11, with his late wife.
Lindsay, 45, and his second wife discovered they were expecting a child on October 5, the date which would have marked Miss Keating's 45th birthday.
Miss Meen's spokesman said: "Charlie and Gabriel are overjoyed at the arrival of their little sister.
"With Sally and Russ at the birth were Anthea Turner and Sally's mother.
"Anthea Turner and Grant Bovey are godparents as are school friends Gillian Schofield and Jane Bassett."
Lindsay met his first wife Caron Keating when he worked as her agent.
Miss Keating was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. Despite trying a variety of conventional and alternative treatments she died at her mother's home in 2004.
Lindsay met Miss Meen by chance over lunch after his wife died. The couple became close and Lindsay proposed 20 months later.
News of the engagement prompted speculation that it caused strained relations with his former mother in law.
The pair even received a number of poisoned pen letters from members of the public.
But Gloria Hunniford, who gave the pregnancy her blessing, said yesterday:
"I'm absolutely thrilled for the whole family. It's wonderful it's a little girl and everything is good. A baby brings so much joy."
The Irish-born TV presenter said that her daughter's children are also delighted by the new addition to the family.
She said: "I think Charlie and Gabriel will be very protective over their little sister. They have already named her TJ. They are so excited and they were telling me how small their sister's fingers are."