Russell Howard reveals his baby boy died hours after his wife gave birth amid ‘most devastating time of their life’

RUSSELL Howard has said his baby boy sadly died shortly after his wife gave birth in what is “the most devastating time of our lives”. The comedian thanked the NHS for their support in a post on his Instagram page, saying he and his wife were able to spend “precious hours” with their son Felix. Russell Howard thanked the NHS for their support in a post on his Instagram page Russell pictured with his wife Cerys in 2023 Credit: NASH / BACKGRID The 46-year-old said: “Earlier this year, our family changed forever when our beautiful baby boy, Felix, died shortly after birth. “During the most devastating time of our lives, the hospital staff who cared for us showed extraordinary compassion, kindness and humanity. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! “They helped us navigate an unimaginable heartache and gave us support when we needed it most. “We were assigned a bereavement midwife, Lauren, who had experienced a similar tragedy. “After losing her own baby, Lauren retrained as a midwife so that she could help other families going through what she had been through. “Her care meant more to us than we can ever put into words. During our time in hospital, Felix was placed in a cool cot, which meant that my wife and I were able to spend precious hours with our beautiful boy. Russell and his NHS doctor wife Cerys Morgan didn’t publicly announce they were expecting a second child Credit: Getty They have set up a charity in their son’s name Credit: Alamy “We could hold him, talk to him and tell him just how much we loved him. “Those hours are among the most precious memories we have of Felix.” Most read in Showbiz Russell and his NHS doctor wife Cerys Morgan didn’t publicly announce they were expecting a second child. He added: “We were overwhelmed by the care we received, and we made a promise to each other: that we would try to help other families who find themselves facing the same devastating circumstances. “And so, in Felix’s memory, we are establishing The Felix Foundation. The foundation will aim to relieve the needs of parents, siblings and other close family members affected by miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, neonatal death or related bereavement.” Russell started dating Cerys in 2004, when he was 21 years old and she was 17, the sister of his friend. Finding support after baby loss According to the NHS, around one in eight known pregnancies ends in a loss. Figures from the charity Tommy’s show half of adults in the UK say that they, or someone they know, has experienced pregnancy or baby loss. You can contact The Miscarriage Association, Tommy’s and Sands for more information. The NHS also offers counselling services. On New Year’s Eve 2018, Russell confirmed on Alan Carr’s Chatty Man that they were getting married. Cerys and Russell got hitched in June 2019 in a quiet ceremony with family and friends. The couple had their first son in May 2024, and have kept their child’s life private. Russell previously said: “I love being a parent. It’s the best thing in the world, and yet it’s tough. “I’m quite protective with giving his name out, but I find him so funny. “Six months ago my evenings would have been spent getting ready to go out and perform in front of a thousand people, but now evenings find me sitting on the sofa watching TV with my son on my chest.” 1 comment1