Comedian Russell Howard has shared the heartbreaking news that his baby son, Felix, passed away earlier this year shortly after birth. In a public statement, the 46-year-old performer described the experience as “unimaginable heartache” and “the most devastating time of our lives.”
Howard and his wife, Cerys, an NHS doctor, had not previously announced they were expecting a second child. The couple, who have been together since 2004, are also parents to a son born in August 2024.
Reflecting on their time in the hospital, the comedian noted that they were provided with a “cool cot,” which allowed them to spend precious hours holding and speaking to their son. He expressed deep gratitude for the “extraordinary compassion, kindness and humanity” shown by the medical staff during that period.
The couple received specialized support from a bereavement midwife named Lauren, who had personally navigated a similar loss before retraining to assist other families. Howard emphasized that the care they received was profound, stating, “Her care meant more to us than we could ever put into words.”
Motivated by their experience, the couple is launching The Felix Foundation. The organization aims to provide resources and support for families impacted by neonatal death, stillbirth, premature birth, miscarriage, and related bereavement.
To support the foundation, a fundraising event titled the Stand-Up Gala is scheduled for February at London’s O2 Arena. Howard expressed his gratitude for the support of his peers, noting that he would “never forget the generosity” of the comedians performing for the cause free of charge.
The lineup for the gala includes prominent figures such as Michael McIntyre, Jimmy Carr, Aisling Bea, John Bishop, and Mo Gilligan. Howard, a well-known figure in British comedy recognized for his work onMock The WeekandRussell Howard’s Good Newsis currently continuing his UK stand-up tour following a series of performances at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
The comedian shared that he and his wife made a mutual promise to help others facing similar circumstances. “We were overwhelmed by the care we received, and we made a promise to each other: that we would try to help other families who find themselves facing the same devastating circumstances,” he said.
Support resources for those affected by the issues discussed in this story are available through Action Line. The report also notes that this story contains content which some readers might find distressing. The report also notes that talk to him and tell him how much we loved him, we could hold him.
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