Chloe Madeley almost fired husband James Haskell as her birth partner

Chloe Madeley has revealed she almost 'fired' husband James Haskell from the position of birth partner for fear he would be working when she went into labour.

The 35-year-old reality TV star - daughter of Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan - and the 37-year-old ex-rugby player recently welcomed their first child, a baby girl, and Madeley admitted her birth had not gone to plan.

She shared on Instagram: "Forever grateful that even though my childbirth did not go to plan, I was surrounded by compassionate, skilled, knowledgeable and experienced women from start to finish."

Read more: Chloe Madeley admits 'scary' fainting episodes on public transport during pregnancy

Madeley went on: "@jameshaskell, after I nearly fired you from your post for fear you would be at another DJ gig when I went into labour, you were the DREAM birth partner. I couldn’t have wished for anyone better to hold my hand and talk me through everything from start to finish. Thank you. I love you. We DO make cute babies."

The couple welcomed a daughter on Wednesday 10 August. Her name is yet to be announced.

One week on from the birth Haskell also shared a picture of his wife in labour, praising her for being a "star" during the birth.

He said: "Eight days ago, when we had some semblance of a birth plan. @madeleychloe ready to be even more of a star than usual."

Madeley also thanked the medical staff who had helped her during her labour.

She said: "Here is my deepest, most heartfelt thank you to all the midwives out there who pull long shifts, have to make difficult decisions under pressure, have seen a hell of a lot of good and bad, and exercise compassion and reassurance every single day for those under their care.

"Also to the obstetricians who are exactly where they need to be, exactly when they need to be there, and who manage to see the whole thing through with what seems to be complete ease."

The TV presenter and fitness influencer hosts The Bodcast with Chloe Madeley as part of her career as a personal trainer.

She began her presenting career on Big Brother's Big Mouth in 2008. She came third on ITV skating show Dancing On Ice in 2011 and competed on Channel 4 skiing show The Jump in 2015, finishing fifth.

She married former England rugby union player Haskell in 2018.

Haskell retired from rugby in 2019. He appeared on jungle reality show I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! later the same year.

Despite signing up to compete in MMA (mixed martial arts) in 2019 he eventually gave up the sport in 2021 due to various rugby injuries and having had spinal surgery.

The new arrival is the second grandchild for Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley, who already has a grandson Kit, born in 2018 to son Jack and his wife Issy.

Read more: Chloe Madeley and James Haskell announce they're expecting their first child

Finnigan, 74, has twin sons from her first marriage and already has two granddaughters aged nine and four.

Watch: Zara Tindall reportedly gave Chloe Madeley tips on coping with pregnancy