Television presenter Lorraine Kelly has offered heartfelt support to Kelsey Parker during her morning programme on Monday, following the devastating news of Parker’s stillbirth.
The 34-year-old mother announced on Instagram yesterday that her third child, Phoenix, was “born sleeping” just one week before her expected due date.
Kelly addressed the tragedy on ITV’s Lorraine, opening with sombre news for viewers.
“We’ve got some very sad news for you this morning. That there is Kelsey Parker and her partner Will.
“Kelsey has been on the show many times. They very sadly announced the death of their baby son,” the presenter told her audience.
Parker revealed the heartbreaking news through social media, sharing with her followers that her baby son had died shortly before his anticipated arrival.
The announcement came as a shock to many who had been following her pregnancy journey.
In her Instagram post on Sunday, Parker used the phrase “born sleeping” to describe the loss of Phoenix, a term often used by bereaved parents to describe stillbirth.
The tragedy occurred just seven days before Parker’s due date, adding to the profound sadness of the situation.
The news has prompted an outpouring of support from the public and fellow celebrities. Parker, who has two other children, had been preparing to welcome her third child with partner Will.
Kelly continued her tribute by directly quoting Parker’s words about the loss. “Kelsey says, ‘He was born sleeping,’ just a week before her due date.
“It’s awful when you think that poor woman has been through so much, her and her family,” she told viewers.
The Scottish broadcaster’s emotional tribute served as both a public acknowledgement of the loss and a personal message to someone who had been a recurring guest on her show.
Kelly concluded her on-air tribute with a deeply personal message of support for the grieving family.
“I know how much she was looking forward to that and I can’t begin to imagine what she’s going through,” she said.
The presenter emphasised that she was “sending the family her love after the heartbreaking news.”
The news comes as a tragic blow to Parker, who is the widow of The Wanted singer Tom Parker, who died from brain cancer in 2022 at the age of 33.
Parker posted a moving tribute featuring a poem titled “For Phoenix, Born Sleeping, Forever Loved”.
It read: “The world grew quiet as you arrived, So loved, so longed for, yet not alive. Our precious boy, our angel light, Born with wings, took silent flight.”
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It continued: “We named you Phoenix, brave and bright. A soul of love, of warmth and light Though we never heard you cry, You’ll live in hearts that won’t ask why.
“No breath you drew, no eyes to see, Still, you mean everything to me. You’ll journey with us, softly near, In every sigh, in every tear.”
In a subsequent Instagram story, Parker requested privacy for her family during the difficult time.