The first Christmas babies to arrive at Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital were born just seconds apart to joyous parents.
The first was 6lb 15oz Oscar Kift who came into the world at 7.46am before being swiftly followed by 6lb 5oz Holly Reid at 7.47am.
One of the first to congratulate Oscar’s parents Amy and Sean, who live in Cupar, was none other than BBC Masterchef: The Professionals finalist Dean Banks.
The pair work at the Carnoustie native’s popular fine dining restaurant The Haar in St Andrews.
Sean, 31, said he had been at a staff closing party before being woken by a startled Amy in the early morning.
He said: “It took a wee while to realise what was going on.
“Because he came two and a half weeks early, we just hadn’t expected it.
“I’d had a couple of drinks thinking there was no chance but I was wrong.
“I needed a fair few coffees to sort myself out.
“It was a quick delivery but Amy gave my hand a good squeeze in that time.
“I think I’ve just about got the feeling back in it.
“Dean was straight on Facetime to send his best wishes. I think he was on the phone about a minute after Oscar arrived.”
Mum Amy, 23, said she felt thrilled, if a little groggy, to welcome the couple’s first child and paid tribute to the nurses in Ninewells’ Midwifery Unit.
“It’s brilliant,” she said.
“The staff here gave Oscar a little Santa outfit to put on including a cardigan, hat and blanket.”
Sean added: “The nurses have been such a great help. They even served up a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
“It was that good I might come back every year to celebrate.
“We decided not to pull the crackers though because we didn’t want to give the wee man a fright.”
Holly’s parents Steven Reid, 21, and Christine Townsley, 20, were welcoming their child almost simultaneously down one floor in the hospital’s Labour Suite.
The couple, who live in Kinross, were ecstatic to see Holly in good health after arriving four weeks early.
