BBC suddenly stops filming as star’s wife goes into labour during live recording

The BBC star’s live recording descended into chaos after he was forced to halt filming and leave the studio.

Xand van Tulleken left the studio after his wife went into labour (Image: BBC)

The BBC’s Morning Live star Xand van Tulleken revealed he received an urgent call from his wife, who had gone into labour while filming. The GP and resident health expert was filming an episode of his podcast, What’s Up Docs, with his brother, Christoffer, when he was informed. As the siblings were mid-conversation, Xand’s rang as he apologised: “Sorry, sorry, sorry it’s gotta be on.” The host’s wife, Dolly, could be heard giving the urgent update and said: “So I think I’m pretty sure it’s starting. I’m just feeling quite sort of… not massively frequent but quite regular period painy feelings that were very similar to what I had when you got home when I went into labour with Rex [their son].

The expectant mother then suggested: “So I think it would be good if you came home.”As a doctor, Xand reassured his wife: “You’re getting waves of contractions essentially.” and then told his brother: “Chris, we’re now 41 weeks plus one, Dolly’s having regular period pain.”

Xand van Tulleken was forced to halt the recording (Image: BBC)

Shocked by his demeanour, Christoffer interrupted: “Why are you still speaking? I think you’ve gotta leave,” which prompted Xand to leave and be at his wife’s bedside.

In a follow-up, the clip featured a photo of the health expert holding his adorable newborn daughter in his arms, and revealed her name.

He updated: “So I got home in good time, having sprinted from the studio, but Dolly was in labour, and our daughter Daphne was born at home at 10:30 that night.

“She is doing brilliantly, her mum is doing brilliantly, she is absolutely perfect, and I will show you [her feet], nothing nicer than a newborn baby’s feet. There you go, look at those feet!”

The video was shared online on Saturday, weeks after Dolly had announced the arrival on December 5, revealing that Daphne was born on November 27, 2025.

Alongside heartwarming photos of their daughter, the mother-of-two penned: “Our daughter Daphne Rita Adora van Tulleken was born on the 27th November 2025 at 10:30pm at home between the fire and the Christmas tree (decorated the night before!).