STEALING THE SHOW 'ISABELLA WAS BORN TO JOURNEY'S DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' - VERY JAZZ HANDS!'

ACTING COUPLE ALI BASTIAN AND DAVID O'MAHONY OPEN UP ABOUT THEIR SECOND DAUGHTER'S DRAMATIC BIRTH, RAISING STRONG WOMEN AND SISTERLY LOVE

- DAWN EMERY

With two parents in the acting business, it seems appropriate that Ali Bastian and David O’Mahony’s baby made a suitably theatrical arrival into the world. Describing the birth of her second daughter, Isabella Charlotte, on 11 February by Caesarean section, Ali tells OK!, “The midwife was like, ‘Ready, 1,2,3…’ Then the screen dropped and Isabella was lifted up. I just sobbed. It was so overwhelmingly emotional.”

The former Hollyoaks star, 41, who also has daughter Isla, three, with David, adds, “We feel very lucky and grateful to have two beautiful girls.”

“It’s an amazing feeling,” agrees David, 40, who can currently be seen in The Three Musketeers on Amazon Prime. “The moment the baby cries and the doctor says, ‘Yes, 10 fingers, 10 toes,’ is such a relief.”

To add to the theatricality, the couple – who have invited OK! into their west London home for our photoshoot – had selected a playlist for the birth at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. “Isabella was born to Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey,” laughs Ali. “We had that song at our wedding. It’s very jazz hands.”

After the birth, Isla met the new arrival over FaceTime. “Isla was beaming,” says Ali, whose mum Paula looked after the toddler at the couple’s home while they were in hospital. “She’s besotted with her little sister.”