Amanda Holden has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her baby son Theo on what would have been his 11th birthday.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge, 50, tragically lost her son in 2011, when she was seven months pregnant, and has openly spoken about her devastating loss over the years.
In a touching post on Instagram, Amanda shared a photo of Theo’s footprints with her 1.8 million followers, as she marked her son’s birthday.
“You would have been 11 today. I’m still grateful you chose us for your journey .. #Theo,” she captioned the picture.
Alexandra Burke, Kate Thornton, and Vicky Pattison sent their love and well wishes in the comments on the post, with Tracey Ann Oberman writing: “Sending love Mands xx never gets easier.”
Some of her fans and followers left their heartbreaking stories of baby loss in the comments, as one wrote: “Thinking of you x I sadly have lost 4 babies - Ruby through neonatal loss and 3 miscarriages. They are our strength and our weakness. Never forgotten and loved always.”
“Happy Heavenly Birthday, I really hope all our babies having fun up there together. Lots of love to you and your family,” another wrote.
“Sending lots of love to you all. I understand your pain. I'm so sorry. Happy 11th birthday in the stars Theo x,” one fellow mum commented.
Others praised Amanda for the post, with a follower writing: “a very brave and lovely post to put up for everyone who has been through the same as you.”
The TV star, who shares daughters Lexi, 15, and Hollie, nine, with husband Chris Hughes, has previously spoken about the loss of her son, and last year, she recalled the terrifying and heartbreaking incident on the BBC's Dear NHS Superstars documentary.
Amanda said she went to the hospital because she had woken up and realised her baby hadn’t moved throughout the night, and let out a “guttural scream” when her midwife Jackie broke the agonising news.
“It was the most bizarre thing that's ever happened to me because it was me. I didn't know I was doing it. I had no control over myself, I thought it was another person making the noise,” she explained.
She opted to have a caesarean section, which she called “beyond horrific”, and was eternally grateful to her midwife, who ensured Amanda and Chris had keepsakes of their stillborn son.
“Theo was put into a little room so his body could be preserved and we could go and see him as much or as little as we wanted,” she said.
If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity). You can call them on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk
