Former Hollyoaks stars Daisy Wood-Davis and Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy have announced the birth of their second child.
The actors, who played Kim Butterfield and Jesse Donovan in the Channel 4 soap, announced the news on Instagram.
The pair announced their engagement August 2019 and they wed three years later. They welcomed first son Asa in 2021.
Sharing an intimate video of her home birth, Daisy wrote: ‘Now that we are home & our nightmare of the last week is behind us… we are so immensely proud to say that our second son, Ari Jax was born 08.12 at home, next to the Christmas tree.
‘Daddy very cleverly lined up Fix You by Coldplay to welcome him into the world. The birth was nothing short of pure magic, I haven’t been given much time to relive it but I know that I am super proud of myself and Ari for working so well together.
‘Thank you to my incredible birth team @mama_sanctuary @preparingparentswho made me feel safe and heard throughout, what incredible women you are.
‘Ari has been quite poorly and he’s unfortunately endured such a lot for a 9 day old, including 2 operations. It’s been a living nightmare but we are so grateful he is going to be ok and that we are home for Christmas.
‘Ari (pronounced Ah-Ree) means ‘lion’ and ‘sun-like’ and he has truly lived up to his name and is the bravest, toughest little cub. We are so proud of him. Mummy, Daddy and your besotted big brother Asa, could not love you more (unbelievably, we will but it doesn’t seem possible!)
‘Let’s re-start this post partum journey and celebrate our beautiful son properly, in the way he deserves. We love you with all our hearts, Ari Jax.’
A number of the real-life soap couple’s former co-stars rushed to send their support and congratulations.
Cleo McQueen star Nadine Mulkerrin wrote: ‘So pleased he’s home for Christmas! Family complete. Love to you all xxxxx’
Jessica Fox, who plays Nancy Osbourne added: ‘You are SO powerful! Congratulations and sending you all so much love and healing energy.’
‘Congratulations to you all, glad everyone is home safe’ commented Sienna Blake actress Anna Passey.
Daisy left Hollyoaks following a four year stint in 2018. Her exit scenes saw her flee the country for her own safety, and involved iconic 80s popstar Rick Astley. Following that, she had a recurring role in Holby City.
Majid’s character Jesse continued to appear until 2020, when he died from alcohol poisoning at his own wedding.
Earlier this year, Daisy hit back at cruel trolls who criticised her decision to allow Asa to wear a dress.
‘I feel so passionate about this, not just in case Asa wants to wear a dress one day but to make sure he is never the child who bullies or puts another down for being ‘different’ which seems to happen from such a young age it’s scary!’ she wrote.
‘I can’t believe children’s innocence is taken away so early by gender normative views which doesn’t necessarily mean a homophobic parent is at home but it’s a parent that doesn’t care enough to actively bring it up and discuss it with their child. Rant over.’
She continued: ‘I should also add he wasn’t wearing a dress in the play village. He was with his Nana but I believe he was also merely looking at the dressing up items when the boys needed to tell him this ‘fact’.’
