Tina Malone:
Celebrating the arrival of a new addition to the family, actress Tina Malone, 53, and her daughter Dannielle, 34, open up about motherhood
“Now I’m a grandmother I want another baby myself”
She had her first baby at S 17 and her second at 50, so it’s safe to say that Tina Malone doesn’t do things by the book. And last month, after becoming a grandmother for the first time, Shameless star Tina, who is also mum to Flame, two, with husband Paul, 34, admits that seeing her daughter Dannielle have a baby has made her want to have more children herself.
TWINS
She says: “I don’t give two hoots about what people think of me. I’d love to have another baby, I’ve got eight eggs still frozen and I’ve only got two years left to use them. I want to give Flame a sibling, but I’m not sure that I’m going to talk Paul around. If he lets me, I’d love to have twins next time. In fact, I’d have triplets just to annoy every person who said I couldn’t. My clinic will implant two eggs so there’s a good chance it could happen.”
On our shoot, Tina cradles her newborn granddaughter Dorothy and admits that the whole experience has been very emotional. Her daughter Dannielle, 34, who’s also an actress, and lives in London with her husband James, gave birth to baby Dorothy last month – and the whole family are absolutely smitten with the new arrival.
“I burst into tears the first time I saw her,” says Tina. “She is beautiful. I was so emotional and proud of Dannielle. I was also shocked at how much she looks like me!”
“That’s only because she’s scowling all the time with wind,” laughs Dannielle. “But having Dorothy has been the most amazing experience, we can’t stop staring at her.”
And Tina admits that watching her daughter become a mother has also been extremely moving.
She says: “I can’t believe how well Dannielle has taken to motherhood, she’s a really good mum and she’s so calm. It’s been amazing seeing her become a mother. I’m also kind of relieved the labour is over. Of course you are worried about the baby, but Dannielle is still my baby so I was very anxious when she went into hospital. I was waiting all day for the phone call and, when it came, I started crying straight away.”
HANDS-ON NAN
And Tina, 53, is already looking forward to the future with Dorothy and promises to be a hands-on grandmother.
“I’ll be a fun nan,” she laughs. “I’m not one of those people who says they’ve had their children and done their bit – Dorothy can come and stay all the time and I’ll take her away for holidays. Our house is set up for children because we have Flame so it will be perfect for Dorothy to visit. I just can’t wait.”
With Tina having her children so far apart in age, it means that Flame is already an auntie at two years old. This is something which Tina, who’s lost 12st over the past six years following a gastric band op and four major operations to remove her excess skin, loves.
Tina says: “I’m not a conventional person anyway, Flame is an auntie at two, Dorothy is Flame’s niece. Dannielle cares about what other people think, but I don’t. It’s cute.”
But Dannielle admits to finding their unique family set-up a bit strange.
She explains: “I find it really odd, I’d rather call them cousins, but Mum won’t have it. She think it’s really cute, I think it’s bizarre.”
FEELING BROODY
And it’s not the only thing the mother and daughter playfully disagree about. Dannielle also disapproves of Tina’s wishes to have another baby.
She says: “I think it would be the most ridiculous thing in the world. She’s so fortunate to have had Flame at her age, and that she’s such a well-behaved child. But to have more babies at 54 or 55 is madness; it’s too much to put her body through.”
“She’s too worried about what the neighbours think,” Tina laughs.
So we’ll have to watch this space when it comes to whether there will be another arrival in their family.
Tina says: “I would absolutely love another, I’ve always wanted a son. But Paul is worried, he says: ‘After losing 12st and having all those operations, why would you want to put your body through pregnancy again?’ But I say: ‘Your looks don’t make you happy and you’re not answerable to anyone.’ We’ll see what happens.”