Paul, a husband who was diagnosed with stage 1 cancer shortly after moving into his first house with his wife Maria, feared the illness would end his chances of becoming a father. The couple, who appear in the second episode of E4's One Born Every Minute, were preparing to welcome their second child.
Cancer Diagnosis and Fears for Parenthood
Paul and Maria met through a mutual friend in Liverpool in 2016, and their relationship developed quickly. After a small registry wedding with close family, they bought their first house together during the first year of Covid. "It was quite big and empty, we knew what it was missing was some kids," Paul remembered.
"But after a couple of months of being there, I just started to feel sick, something wasn't right. I actually got diagnosed with cancer, stage 1 cancer, so I had to have some chemotherapy and some surgery." Maria admitted Paul had been "worried that we were not going to be able to have kids, I think that was the main concern".
Welcoming Their Children
Maria fell pregnant with their first daughter, Maria, and Paul recalled his joy. "I remember when I told him, I saw the relief in his face," Maria shared. Paul added: "I think as parents for our second child, we feel far more prepared this time."
Maria was delighted that Mia would have a younger sister, saying: "I know they will be best friends when they grow up." Once her contractions got stronger, Maria's baby, Eloise, arrived very quickly with no complications. Before the birth, Maria told viewers: "I hope they will be like, 'We had the best childhood'. I would do anything to give them the best I could."
A Love Story and Other Births
Paul opened up about how the couple first met, admitting: "I did that typical guy thing where I was like there's no way she's interested in me." Maria joked: "He shut me down, he was like 'I'm busy'. He cancelled the plans." Whereas Paul insisted: "I just thought she was too good for me, so I thought it wasn't very realistic."
Maria said fondly: "He's not just my husband, he's literally my best friend. I grew up in the Middle East, I lived in the West Bank and of course, the war situation. I was so determined to get out of there." Paul admired his wife's bravery, sharing: "She's the one who has moved over to a foreign country, got her citizenship, did her Master's degree, speaks three languages. Really, really impressive, because it shows someone who is smart, someone who is independent, someone who is willing to take a chance."
Elsewhere in the episode, single mum Billie faced birth nerves after an 11-year gap since her last child was born, and after a long IVF journey, Kate and Matt awaited their longed-for daughter. One Born Every Minute airs on E4 on Sundays at 9pm.
