Contestant’s son born one minute after programme

Masterchef contestant Dean Banks has spoken of his delight at becoming a father, just one minute after the culinary competition went off air and said he looks forward to showing the programme to the couple’s new son when he is older.

He said: “My fiancé Isabela had been in labour all day and gave birth just after the programme ended – it was amazing timing.”

Dean said his phone had “lit up” after the show, with people sending congratulations on the birth of Felix, but for the show as well.

“I’ve had thousands of people sending congratulations, including people I don’t know, everyone just seems to be so happy for us, which is great.

“We have decided to call him Felix, and he weighed 7lb 7oz.

“At 53 centimetres, he’s a tall baby, I think he may grow up to be tall like his dad.”

“I have never seen Isabela so happy in her life – she was very determined to have a natural birth, and she managed to have one, so she was very lucky.”

The proud father who originally comes from Arbroath, also heaped praise on Angus as a place to raise a family: “My partner Isabela isn’t from the UK, but she loves Scotland, and it was her suggestion that we settled down here.

“She loves Scotland as much as I do, the culture, the weather, everything about it and that is why we moved back here.

“It’s great to be back in Scotland and be part of a community again.

“I think Scotland is very community based, and just to be part of something like this

“My family is all in Angus and I was brought up in Angus myself, and I want to have a family-orientated upbringing for my son.

“I’ve travelled the world, and now I’m ready to be part of the family again.

“With technology such as iplayer, I hope one day to show the progamme to Felix and say this is what was being broadcast as you were born!”