His Emmerdale character Billy Fletcher was recently discussing how he wanted to become a dad after marrying Dawn, but in real life the actor who plays him, Jay Kontzle, got quite the surprise when his real life wife told him she was pregnant with their third child.
The ITV soap star has shared the happy news that he and wife Mimi will be welcoming another bundle of joy into the world soon. The couple are already proud parents to daughter KaiBo, five, and four-year-old son Zian.
Jay, 31, found out that he was set to become a father-of-three while on the set of the ITV soap where he has played Billy since 2018. And it's fair to say he wasn't expecting it.
"Mimi called me during my lunch break on set and told me," he told OK! Magazine. "I was sitting eating lunch in the sun and all of a sudden I went hot and started dripping with sweat. I was a bit shocked! Before that, Mimi had said she wanted to get a pregnancy test and I said: 'A pregnancy test? That’s a lot of money that, especially with the cost of living going up.'"
He added: "Then I was in work and she decided to throw a spanner in the works over lunch!" Mimi, 32, commented: "I rang him and said, 'You’re never going to guess what? I’m pregnant!' He replied, 'You’re not!' And I said, ‘I am!’" to which Jay replied: "She was so casual – and there I was sweating!"
Mimi did later admit: "I was shocked it was positive but it’s a nice surprise and we know we’re lucky to be having another child. We’re excited and it’s a blessing." Jay added: "It’s a great thing to be going through again. I think it’s just the fact that we got to an age with our other two where they’re old enough and there’s no nappies and bottles, and we got our sleep back."
He then joked: "I was settled with our two and I didn’t think we’d be having another one – but Mimi already had it planned. She likes to act like she’s not sly but she is!" to which his wife of six years replied: "I didn’t think it would happen. So much so that a week before we found out, I’d given away all our baby stuff."
The new baby is due at the end of November and Mimi and Jay have already agreed that they’re not going to have any more children. But Mimi knew she did want to expand her brood by at least one more. "The main thing that made me want another one is Zian and KaiBo are getting so grown-up now and there’s not a baby or little one around the house any more. I’ve really missed that," she told OK!
And KaiBo and Zian are excited to be welcoming another sibling. "They can’t wait," Mimi said. "They’re at the age where they can really help and KaiBo is like a little second mum anyway. Before we found out I was pregnant they had been asking for a baby, so it’s worked out perfectly for them.
"We waited until I got to 12 weeks and then we came home from the scan holding the ultrasound picture and filmed their reaction. They were so excited. They always say, ‘I love you, baby’ and touch my belly. This child will be really loved."
Meanwhile, Jay’s Emmerdale co-stars have been just as happy for the growing family since he revealed the news to them. "Everyone was made up for us," he told the publication. "I tried to keep it to myself but I can’t keep a secret! I told my friend who works at ITV, who I was having lunch with when I found out.
"Everyone is really happy for us. It really is like a family and Dean Andrews [who plays Will Taylor] is lovely. He’s a bit like a grandad who gives me constructive criticism all the time. I try to take it on but most the time it goes in one ear and out the other!"
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