Victoria Coren Mitchell has given birth at 51

[CanIPetThatDawg]

I wish nothing but health and happiness to both mum and baby but I can't imagine being up to my elbows in all the newborn stuff in my early 50s.

At that stage I hope to be taking a lover, or writing strongly worded letters to my local newspaper. I might alternate these hobbies.

(She has given birth rather than used a surrogate)

Good luck to her and her family.
None of our business is it.

I was watching Only Connect a couple of weeks ago and thought she looked pregnant!! So I googled and saw she was 51 and thought oh, no chance then!

I had no idea she was that old (I am older, in case anyone thinks I am being ageist). Good luck to her.

Absolutely none of my business! As with approx. 72% of threads on MN.

A) had no idea she was that old
B) awwwwww

So is this two children? I know there’s a girl called Barbara, maybe primary school age?

I think 99% of life in general is none of anyone’s business, but a new baby in the world? I think we can all think good thoughts for a while 👶

lovely news.

Wow!

So she's a little older than me -- I thought she was younger, not that it matters. Good on her, hope she has masses of support for the sleepless years.

OMG 😲 Well done to her, and all good thoughts.

I wonder if they were trying, just hopeful, or completely gobsmacked when she conceived.

Hope the family has a wonderful time with the new addition. 😊

I'm.not quite 40 and so tired, my husband is 51. Our 4yr old is exhausting. 12yr old not so much. Brave lady. Although I imagine her and David can afford help.

With 4DC already, the thought makes my ovaries shrivel up.

But, when I had 1DC, I was so keen to have another.

Congratulations to the family! Glad to know that the baby has arrived safely, and everyone is doing well.

Any baby's safe arrival is a gift.

I'm 53 and have had my grandkids for the day. I'm so far beyond knackered that I haven't had the energy to cook tea... I've had tea and a yogurt! She's very brave and hopefully well off enough to have help.

I'm late 30s and have been in the depths of despair thinking motherhood has passed me by...but then I read this story (and Hilary Swank and others recently) and it seems that maybe there's still a chance for me too. No one would bat an eyelid or even think to mention it if it were a 51 year old father.

Why not combine them and write letters to the local newspaper about your lover? I imagine it would be more interesting than gripes about recycling.

I would assume IVF with donor eggs but I guess we don't know and it isn't our business!

Lovely news - but 'extra' knackering at that age yep

That is lovely news. I think her and David and great. They’d be on my dream dinner party guest list.

It's such lovely news! So happy for them. Barbara is 8 now, June was born a couple of weeks ago, I think. I'm sure they've got plenty of domestic help, but are all too aware of what they've let themselves in for. As to what a person does at 51, Victoria is a writer, poker player, and tv presenter so I'm sure this little blessing is only an addition to her activities! No doubt she'll continue to be active with other stuff, same as David.
A happy event!

@NuffSaidSam 😂

Wow, I'm 47 and I thought she was younger than me, only just 40. She looks good, and I'm jealous!

I need a nap just thinking of looking after a newborn (but then my youngest is 16)

Congrats to her and David.

I thought she looked plump & busty.

Goodness. It's lovely news but I'm not far off 51 and there's no way I could handle looking after a baby now!

there's an idea. 'Afternoons with my lover...'. I'd have to make sure I was entirely sober when penning them so as to remain within the boundaries of respectability.

Ahh, that’s great news. I really like her. If you haven’t listened to it already, go listen to her Off Menu episode where she enrages James Acaster 😀

Congratulations to her, David & Barbara. I'm slightly younger & couldn't imagine starting the baby years all over again but that doesn't mean others aren't up to the job.