Ex-'EastEnders' star Brooke Kinsella introduces baby girl born three weeks early

Former EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella has announced the birth of a baby girl who was born three weeks before her due date.

The 37-year-old actress and anti-knife crime campaigner welcomed her first child, daughter Elsie Rose Georgia Boardley, on 22 September.

Kinsella announced on Instagram: “And then there was you... 💖 Elsie Rose Georgia Boardley. Stole our hearts immediately and forever at 1.07am on 22.09.2020.”

The actress – who rose to fame playing Kelly Taylor in the BBC soap between 2001 and 2004 – continued to share her joy at becoming a mother, subsequently revealing that Elsie was born early.

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Kinsella posted three weeks later: “Crazy to think you were only due to come into the world today little one...”

She also marked her daughter’s one-month birthday, saying: “One whole month of utter chaos and magic. Thanks for choosing us Elsie.”

Kinsella also paid tribute to her husband Simon Boardley, who she married in December 2017, and acknowledged how lucky she was to have him present at the birth during the restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sharing an image of Boardley holding his new daughter in the hospital she commented: “Feeling so very lucky to have this guy. Best husband and daddy there ever was.

“Sending love to all the women who have to do some of what is the toughest and most overwhelming experience you could ever go through on their own but also to all the dads who are kept away from their partners and new babies and feel so worried and helpless.

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“Covid has caused many problems and much heartbreak across the world but this is one issue I really hope changes very soon.”

Kinsella was awarded an MBE 2011 for her campaign work against knife crime. Her half-brother Ben was stabbed to death aged 16 in 2008.

Announcing her pregnancy back in June, Kinsella called Ben her guardian angel, sharing a picture of her pregnancy test with a serial number that began with the letters “BEN”.

She wrote: “It’s been a strange few months but as tough as it’s been, it’s been Iovely to have a little secret light glowing and growing. I haven’t just been eating all the cheese in lockdown - well that’s a lie...

“Baby Boardley on board and coming to town October 2020 and of course our guardian angel had to make his presence known.”

Kinsella played Kelly Taylor in EastEnders, a young prostitute who befriended Zoe Slater and had a relationship with Alfie Moon’s son Spencer. She left Albert Square to become a holiday rep in Ibiza in 2004.

The actress has since appeared on Loose Women and had a role in Holby City, but the majority of her work in the public eye in recent years has been related to her anti-knife crime campaigning.

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