'SO BLESSED'
Brian Dowling and hubby Arthur Gourounlian welcome ‘beautiful’ second baby as they confirm adorable and unusual name
The pair admitted that it wasn't the birth plan they had hoped for
BRIAN Dowling and Arthur Gourounlian have welcomed their second baby - and revealed her unique name.
The couple, who already have an 18-month-old daughter Blake, broke the news that their second daughter had arrived safely into the world on Sunday.
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Brian, 46, said: "Please be upstanding for the arrival of our beautiful daughter, Blu Amar Rose Dowling.
"Blu was delivered safely on Sunday, June 23rd at 13:30hours weighing 6lbs, 2ozs.
"Myself and Papa are absolutely besotted and actually can't believe we now have two little beauties to keep us on our toes."
Speaking before the birth, the couple said: "We have already been so blessed with Blake we can’t believe how lucky we are as parents to welcome another baby to our family.
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"Blake is going to be the best big sister ever."
Brian's sister Aoife again stepped in to act as a surrogate for the broadcaster and his husband Arthur for a second time after they welcomed daughter Blake in September 2022.
Extending his thanks to Aoife, Brian described her as a "superstar".
He said: "We are, as always, FOREVER GRATEFUL.
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"You stayed so calm, considering it wasn’t exactly the birth plan we had initially hoped for.
"Baby Blu was adamant to arrive on Sunday, the 23rd of June & nothing or no one was going to stop her."
Arthur Gourounlian shares funny moment with Brian Dowling
Brian added: "Big Sister Blake, you have been activated."
The celeb couple's pals were left thrilled at the pair's big announcement.
Una Healy said: "Congratulations to you all."
Pippa O'Connor, who attended the couple's baby shower last week, added: "Baby Blu you little beauty. Welcome to the world."
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Today Show host Sinead Kennedy said: Oh wow! Congratulations to you all! Happy Birthday Blu. Blake will be the best big sister I’m sure."
TV chef Donal Skehan wrote: "WAHEY! Huge congrats to you both and go on Aoife! Cannot wait to meet the latest addition! Loads of love!!!"
Brian's Six O'Clock show co-presenter Katja Mia said: "Two perfect little girls now! Congratulations and welcome to the world baby Blu."
Dancing With The Stars host Doireann Garrihy said: "J'adore. MASSIVE congratulations guys."
B*Witched star Sinead O'Carroll added: "Just so happy for you both what a beautiful name."
Brian last week confirmed he'd be taking the summer off from his two major hosting gigs - Virgin Media's Six O'Clock Show and the 98FM breakfast show.
OFF AIR
Brian is due back on air on the Six O'Clock show in August and on the radio in mid-September after his paternity leave.
Emotionally announcing his radio departure, he said: "This is the last time I'm going to be doing this for 12 weeks, not that I've counted.
"I'm going to say...I don't want to get upset, for the last time - goodbye and I will chat to you all in September.
"I'm getting emotional, who would have thought?"
Announcing his last Six O'Clock show before his paternity leave, he said: "And Just Like That, MIC drop Brian OUT.
"This was my last show on @sixoclockshow until the end of August, as I am off on some paternity leave for a few weeks.
"I’m so excited to welcome Baby Dowling Gourounlian into the world and then spend the summer enjoying time with my new baby and my gorgeous Blake."
Arthur previously told how Brian's sister Aoife was his "hero" and they didn't expect her to act as surrogate for the second time.
He said: "I never expected that Aoife was going to do it a second time. She always knew that we wanted siblings for Blake, but for the second time to approach us.
"She said I am able to do it and I really want to help you again. That was another fairytale story moment and we almost cried, and said, ‘Are you serious, are you sure?'
"We were like, 'No, you’re lying. You’re lying. This is not right. It’s not going to happen', she said 'No, no. I want to help you but we have to do it now'.