He’s helped deliver countless lambs and calves across the Yorkshire countryside – but nothing prepared TV’s favourite vet, David Melleney, for the breathtaking moment he became a dad.
In a heartwarming interview from their home in Holmfirth, the Yorkshire Vet star and his wife Megan, a dentist, opened up about the emotional whirlwind surrounding the arrival of their daughter, Lilah Rose.
“She’s been an angel so far,” David beamed, clearly besotted as he cradled his newborn. “Eating, sleeping – but everyone keeps telling us that could change!”
The couple, who tied the knot in a dreamy French château just last year, revealed they were stunned by how fast their pregnancy journey began. A holiday sabbatical in New Zealand suddenly turned into a baby-planning mission – and by the time Lilah arrived on May 19, things moved at lightning speed.
The day of the birth was anything but routine. Megan’s contractions began in the early morning, and after being told by hospital staff to go home, the couple soon found themselves racing back through rush-hour traffic – this time in Megan’s car, to avoid David’s “sheep-scented” vet equipment. Moments later, Lilah was delivered underwater – with David himself helping to lift her into the world.
“I don’t think I’ve ever loved him more,” Megan confessed tearfully, recalling how David had insisted midwives check her again after her pain intensified. “That moment saved me.”
Even with his vet experience, David admitted that nothing compared to holding his own daughter. “It was surreal. Definitely not like delivering a calf.”
The new parents also shared how Lilah’s arrival brought a ray of joy to Megan’s family, who had recently endured a difficult time. As the first grandchild on her side, Lilah has already been spoilt with gifts, cuddly toys – and even has her own passport ready for an Italian wedding.
And yes, Lilah’s even set for a cameo on The Yorkshire Vet – ensuring this little one makes her TV debut before she even starts crawling.
