'Pukka', says new father Jamie

TV chef Jamie Oliver is toasting fatherhood today after his wife Jules gave birth to their first child.

Poppy Honey hit the scales at 7lb 14oz, four days after she was due.

Speaking outside west London's Queen Charlotte Hospital, Oliver described his wife and baby as "just pukka".

The 26-year-old added: "I am absolutely delighted to have a daughter. Jules is still in the hospital recovering, and she is very well."

Jules, also 26, gave birth in the hospital's £792-a-night private ward at 3.20pm on Sunday.

The couple, married in 2000, said they wanted to thank the doctors, midwives and nursing staff who helped with the birth.

The Olivers overcame fertility problems which had left them fearing they would never have a child of their own.

They were said to be distraught when Jules was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which can halt the production of eggs, but treatment at Hammersmith Hospital proved a success.

Oliver's career is also flourishing, despite the BBC recently pulling the plug on his TV series, The Naked Chef. He is expected to transfer to Channel 4.

In January he renewed his contract as the face of Sainsbury's in a £2million deal over four years.

The supermarket chain believes Oliver was partly responsible for a year-on-year sales increase over the festive season of 6.8 per cent.

The happy-go-lucky Oliver, who is setting up a new restaurant in London, was also planning a TV series about the venture.

However, last month the BBC broke off talks due to his commercial interests.

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