The comedian and his wife are now launching a charity in his memory
The comedian took to Instagram to announce the devestating loss(Image: Getty Images))
Russell Howard has revealed his baby son Felix died shortly after birth earier this year. The 46-year-old comedian shared the heartbreaking news in an emotional Instagram post, revealing the devastating loss had changed his family forever.
Russell and his NHS doctor wife Cerys Morgan had not previously announced that they were expected their second child.
Sharing the news with his followers, the Russell Howard’s Good News presenter thanked the NHS staff who supported the couple during the incredibly difficult time. He shared that the pair were able to spend “precious hours” with their newborn.
In the emotional social media post, Russell wrote: “Earlier this year, our family changed forever when our beautiful baby boy, Felix, died shortly after birth.”
He continued: “During the most devastating time of our lives, the hospital staff who cared for us showed extraordinary compassion, kindness and humanity. They helped us navigate an unimaginable heartache and gave us support when we needed it most.”
The comedian went on to pay tribute to a bereavement midwife named Lauren, who had experienced a similar tragedy herself.
He explained: “We were assigned a bereavement midwife, Lauren, who had experienced a similar tragedy. After losing her own baby, Lauren retrained as a midwife so that she could help other families going through what she had been through.”
Russell said Lauren’s care “meant more to us than we can ever put into words”. He also explained how the hospital’s use of a cool cot meant he and Cerys were able to spend more time with their son.
He wrote: “During our time in hospital, Felix was placed in a cool cot, which meant that my wife and I were able to spend precious hours with our beautiful boy. We could hold him, talk to him and tell him just how much we loved him.”
“Those hours are among the most precious memories we have of Felix.”
Russell said the experience prompted him and Cerys to make a promise to help other families facing similar circumstances. He revealed: “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.”
The couple are now establishing The Felix Foundation in memory of their son. The charity will support parents, siblings and other close family members affected by miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth, neonatal death and related bereavement.
It will also support specialist bereavement training for midwives, fund emotional and practical support for families, and provide resources and facilities within hospitals, maternity units and neonatal units.
The foundation will additionally offer information and guidance to affected families while raising awareness of neonatal loss and the support available to those experiencing bereavement.
Russell is now preparing to host a charity event at London’s O2 Arena on February 8, 2027, to raise funds for the foundation.
The event will feature a star-studded line-up of comedians including Jimmy Carr, Greg Davies, John Bishop, Michael McIntyre, Aisling Bea and Mo Gilligan.
Expressing his gratitude to those taking part, Russell said: “Every single one of these incredible performers is giving their time completely free of charge. I will never forget their generosity.”
Concluding his emotional message, the comedian said: “The Felix Foundation is named after our beautiful son. We miss him dearly, every single day, but we take some comfort in knowing that his name will stand for kindness, compassion and laughter, and that his legacy may help other families through the darkest moments of their lives.”
