When we sit down to chat with former Emmerdale actress Anna Nightingale and fiancé Daren Dixon, it’s just weeks after the birth of their second child and the family are clearly well in the swing of things.
Anna says it’s “all going well” as she breastfeeds adorable Ava Noëlle – who weighed in at 7lb 2oz at 10.42am on 1 December in King’s College Hospital, South London.
Daren says Ava is a ravenous tot and “just wants mummy” at the moment – but the couple joke about juggling their new responsibilities.
And their bliss is obvious as Anna, 30, adds, “I’m a lot more relaxed than I was the first time around.”
As with their daughter Autumn, four, Anna had Ava by C-section. But she tells us this time, she and Daren felt “braver” during the birth and asked to see a lot more. “I remember Ava coming out whereas with Autumn it was all a bit of a blur,” she says.
And Ava came into the world with a very fitting soundtrack – Beyoncé’s ultimate girl power anthem, Run The World (Girls), was playing!
Here, Anna and Daren – who works in talent management and brand partnerships – tell us all about the experience and how life has been since taking Ava back to their South London home. They also update us on their wedding plans and reveal how Anna is looking forward to arranging a playdate with her Emmerdale pal Amy Walsh...
Hi, both! Firstly, congratulations! How are you doing? Is anyone in the house sleeping?
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A CITY OF TWO HALVES
There's a holiday for every budget to be found in Dubai, as OK!'s Faith Richardson discovered
'Christmas is a double whammy'
Chef James Martin on the pressures of dividing his time between his restaurants and his family over the festivities
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for people-pleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
'There's a bit of faking it until you make it'
Actor Paul Mescal on entering the Gladiator II arena, building a blockbuster body for his role as fighter Lucius Verus, and heading up an A-list cast of Hollywood's finest stars
THE A-LIST HAIL HOLLYWOOD'S BIG HITTERS
A line-up of the film world's best-known faces attended this year's Governors Awards to celebrate lifetime achievements
'I think we arrived right on time'
The stars of the long-awaited film Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, tell us why its themes are so relevant right now and why the musical is so dear to their hearts
'No one knows who I am'
Having first found fame on social media, GK Barry has become the breakout star of this year's I'm A Celebrity
'I still pinch myself about how we met'
Now legally married, MAFS Uk’s Adam and Tayah Aveling are looking forward to Christmas with their daughter and welcoming baby number two in 2025
THE ROYAL WEEK
It was a sad week for Queen Camilla, but a good week for the royal family’s charities with visits to hospitals and homeless centres
WILLIAM AND KATE'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS
After a challenging year for the royal family, the Prince and Princess of Wales plan to give their children an unforgettable time filled with fun and festivities