BBC Morning Live star welcomes baby boy and shares unique name
BBC Morning Live star Dr. Xand, real name Alexander van Tulleken, and his wife Dolly have welcomed a baby boy.
The news was shared on the show's Instagram Page, in a post which read: "Congratulations to Dr. Xand and his wife Dolly on the birth of their baby boy, with arguably the best name ever, Rex Patrick Anthony van Hoogenhouck-Tulleken. The Morning Live family has become even bigger and we can’t wait to meet him!"
Fans were quick to share congratulatory messages in the comments, with one writing: "What fabulous news! Congratulations both." While a second quipped: "Congratulations he’s gorgeous! But he’ll have to write that, in full, forever!"
Dragon's Den star Sara Davies was also among the well-wishes, as she wrote: "Amazing news!!!" and Strictly Come Dancing star Neil Jones penned: "Amazing congratulations."
The birth was also announced on Morning Live, as host Helen Skelton told viewers: "We've got to jump in as we know we like to start the day with happy happy news. If you were watching yesterday you might have noticed there was an absentee at our breakfast bar.
"Often on a Monday we are joined by Dr Xand he wasn't here for a very good reason, he was alongside his lovely wife Dolly as they welcomed their son Rex Patrick Anthony van Hoogenhouck-Tulleken. Baby Rex is here!"
Helen's co-host Gethin Jones added: "Named after his grandfathers. All doing really really well. Xand's smile beaming there isn't it wonderful." Helen continued: "I know you will join us all in wishing them the very best, congratulations Dolly, Xand and baby Rex."
Dr. Xand announced his engagement to Dolly Theis, the 2017 Conservative Party candidate for Vauxhall, in 2022 and they tied the knot last year. Revealing the romantic way he had popped the question, he said: "We had the most wonderful time. I proposed to my now-betrothed, Dolly, and we experienced pure magic. We rode a tandem bicycle all over London, feeling like characters in a Richard Curtis movie."
Dr. Xand is also father to son Julian from a previous relationship. Speaking about his son to The Guardian in 2021, he said: "He’s the best and most significant thing that has ever happened to me. He was also very much an unexpected surprise. I had a short relationship with his mum; we parted ways on great terms.
"Then one day out of the blue I got a call from North Korea, where she was working. She was pregnant. I was based in England, and she lived in Canada."
Following Julian's birth, Dr. Xand relocated to Canada for a number of years before returning to the UK when his son was 10 years old, with Julian remaining behind with his mother.
