Dr Xand Van Tulleken, the BBC Morning Live star, had to abruptly halt recording of his podcast after his wife Dolly called to say she was in labour. The 47-year-old medic was in the middle of an episode of his What's Up Docs podcast with his brother Chris when the call came in.
Dolly could be heard saying: 'So I think I'm pretty sure it's starting. I'm just feeling quite sort of... not massively frequent but quite regular period painy feelings that were very similar to what I had when you got home when I went into labour with Rex!' Xand then told his brother: 'Chris we're now 41 weeks plus one, Dolly's having regular period pain.' Chris responded: 'Why are you still speaking? I think you've gotta leave!'
Xand dashed out of the studio and made it home in time for the birth. Their daughter, Daphne Rita Adora van Tulleken, was born at home at 10:30pm on November 27, 2025. In a follow-up video, Xand said: 'So I got home in good time, having sprinted from the studio but Dolly was in labour and our daughter Daphne was born at home at 10:30 that night. She is doing brilliantly, her mum is doing brilliantly, she is absolutely perfect.'
Dolly later shared on social media: 'Our daughter Daphne Rita Adora van Tulleken was born on the 27th November 2025 at 10:30pm at home between the fire and the Christmas tree (decorated the night before!). Thank you to the loveliest, most efficient team of midwives who also got me safely to the hospital afterwards to get my placenta removed before getting us back home to enjoy the milky newborn cuddles and for Daphne to meet her big bro Rex.'
The couple, who married in 2023, already have a 21-month-old son, Rex. Xand also has a teenage son from a previous relationship. He is known for his medical segments on Morning Live and has hosted BBC Horizon episodes such as Sugar vs Fat and Is Binge Drinking Really That Bad?.
