By The Mirror Herald | Entertainment & Family Desk
British TV treasure Declan Donnelly has just welcomed his third child with wife Ali Astall, but while fans are overjoyed at the news, it's the unexpected name chosen by their eldest daughter that’s causing a stir — and sending the UK into fits of laughter and disbelief.
👶 A Quiet Arrival With a Loud Reaction
The couple, who are famously private about their personal lives, quietly welcomed their new baby earlier this week at a discreet private hospital in London. Though no official birth announcement was made through ITV or social media, close friends of the family confirmed the baby is healthy, happy, and already adored by their siblings.
But the surprise wasn’t just in the secretive delivery — it came with the name reveal.
🍼 Meet “Captain Banana” — Kind Of.
According to multiple sources, Declan’s eldest daughter, 6-year-old Isla, was asked what name she thought her new sibling should have. Without hesitation, she reportedly declared:
“Let’s call the baby Captain Banana — because bananas are happy and captains are brave!”
While Dec and Ali ultimately went with a more traditional name on the birth certificate, the nickname stuck, and insiders say even hospital staff were referring to the baby as “Captain” throughout their stay.
“It started as a joke,” a family friend said.
“But Dec fell in love with it. He was overheard telling someone, ‘Honestly, it’s not far off from what I’d name a telly character.’”
🎬 Fans React: “This Is So Dec”
Once the story leaked online, fans didn’t hold back their affection:
“Captain Banana for Prime Minister!”
“Only Dec Donnelly’s child could come up with something this brilliant.”
“He gave us Ant & Dec… now he’s giving us the next comedy duo: Isla & Captain Banana.”
Even some of Dec’s celebrity friends chimed in. Rylan Clark tweeted:
“If they don’t trademark that name by next week, I will.”
❤️ A Home Full of Laughter
Declan and Ali now have a full house with three young children — and insiders say they’ve never looked happier.
“Their family life is full of laughter and silliness,” one ITV colleague said.
“That nickname says it all — there’s so much joy in that house.”
Though the baby’s real name hasn’t been publicly revealed, fans are already campaigning to keep “Captain Banana” as a permanent nickname.
💬 Final Thought
At a time when celebrity baby names can spark endless debates, Declan Donnelly’s family has given the UK something better: a name that’s silly, sweet, and full of love. And in doing so, they’ve reminded us all that the best kind of fame is the one that makes people smile.
Welcome to the world, little one — or should we say, Captain Banana. 🍌🍼