Pregnant Wife Bans TV Presenter Nick Knowles From The Birth Of Their Son

Pregnant Wife Bans TV Presenter Nick Knowles From The Birth Of Their Son
|
Open Image Modal
Alamy
Presenter Nick Knowles and wife

TV star Nick Knowles has been banned from his wife's bedside when she gives birth later this year.

His 26-year-old wife Jessica told Hello! magazine: "Giving birth is a very physical process and I don't want him to see me in that vulnerable state.

"I prefer a little bit of smoke and mirrors."

DIY SOS host Nick, 51, already has three older children but is expecting a baby boy this summer with Jessica, who he married in 2012.

He said he was perfectly happy to follow his wife's wishes.

He said: "If Jess wanted me there, then of course I would be there, but I certainly don't feel offended that she doesn't. I'll be right outside, so I'll still be one of the first to hold our son. Men will tell you that they want to be at the birth but it's because they think they ought to be.

"Admitting that you're not going to be there provokes the most extraordinary reaction, as if it's an abdication of responsibility, but the fact is, it was only in the Sixties and Seventies that men started to be there at births.

"There's a huge amount of guilt, fear and worry on a man's behalf when their partner gives birth, along with a feeling of complete uselessness, so I'm more than happy to take Jess's lead on this."

The presenter also said he was relaxed about becoming a dad again late in life.

He said: "Earlier it did hit me, 'When he's 16, I'll be 67. Blimey!' But I'm a bit of a Peter Pan in spirit and physically I keep myself pretty fit.

"Jess has already been trying to extend my life by reducing the number of pork pies and bacon sandwiches I eat and although I still smoke, I've cut down a lot."

• Read the full interview in Hello! magazine.