Emmerdale star Amy Walsh and her EastEnders boyfriend Toby Alexander-Smith have revealed a sweet secret behind the name of their new baby girl.
Amy, who plays Tracy Metcalfe in Emmerdale, and EastEnders Gray Atkins star Toby, met while cheering on friends at the Strictly Come Dancing set in 2020.
One year later they welcomed their first child together on December 27 2021 – an adorable baby girl called Bonnie Mae – with Toby telling OK! Magazine that being a parent has “exceeded every expectation. It’s just amazing and really special. We’re smitten.”
The couple also revealed that her name has a special meaning for them both, as well as a link to Toby’s family.
(Image: LORNA ROACH PHOTOGRAPHY)
Amy and Toby explained that they used to talk about starting a family together and that they would always refer to their future daughter as ‘Bonnie’ – even before Amy knew she was pregnant.
Toby said: “We’d go on walks where Amy used to live in Leeds during lockdown and talk about names. Bonnie was one that came up even before Amy was pregnant.
“Whenever we talked hypothetically about our family, we always said ‘our little Bonnie”, added Amy, saying: “When she came, she couldn’t have been more of a Bonnie.”
(Image: LORNA ROACH PHOTOGRAPHY)
While the couple added that Bonnie was not a family name, Toby explained that there are a few members of his family with the same middle name.
Amy said: “Her middle name is Mae. We wanted something with one syllable that went with her first name and surname,” with Toby saying: “We’ve got a few Maes in my family but spelt differently.”
The Gray Atkins star also jokingly added: “My parents had two King Charles spaniels, one was called Bonnie – but that had no part in it!”
(Image: LORNA ROACH PHOTOGRAPHY)
Amy also revealed that prior to the birth, she received some sweet advice from her sisters Sally, and Girls Aloud star Kimberley, who both have children themselves.
She said: “Both my sisters said to trust your journey and ask for what you need, don’t try to be a hero.”
Talking about their family life, Toby added that while he has never been around babies before, he tries to make life as easy as possible for Amy when he is home from filming EastEnders.
Amy added: “Toby is so good with her [Bonnie].
“He comes in from work and they have their bonding time so I can rest. He’s been good around the house too.
“He’s been making me a cup of tea in a flask before he goes to work, so when I’m ready I can drink it. It’s so sweet.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
