Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood-Davis welcomes second son as she shares update on ‘nightmare’ first week since his birth and the sweet meaning behind the name

Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood-Davis has given birth to her second son with her husband Luke Jerdy. 

The actress, 34, took to Instagram on Wednesday as she shared a sweet video from the birth before opening up about the ‘nightmare’ week. 

Despite experiencing a ‘magical’ water birth, the mother-of-two revealed her son, who is only nine days old had been quite poorly and has already had two operations, including one at just four days old. 

After the stressful first week, Daisy shared how it had inspired his name as she revealed they have called him Ari Jax. 

She explained: ‘Ari (pronounced Ah-Ree) means ‘lion’ and ‘sun-like’ and he has truly lived up to his name and is the bravest, toughest little cub.’

Sharing a lengthy caption with fans she wrote: ‘Now that we are home & our nightmare of the last week is behind us… we are so immensely proud to say that our second son, Ari Jax was born 08.12 at home, next to the Christmas tree.

Hollyoaks star Daisy Wood-Davis has welcomed her second son as she shared an update on the ‘nightmare’ week since his birth and the sweet meaning behind his name

Despite experiencing a ‘magical’ water birth, the mother-of-two revealed her son, who is only nine days old had been quite poorly and has already had two operations

‘Daddy very cleverly lined up ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay to welcome him into the world.’

Sharing video from her water birth, she continued: ‘The birth was nothing short of pure magic, I haven’t been given much time to relive it but I know that I am super proud of myself and Ari for working so well together. 

‘Thank you to my incredible birth team @mama_sanctuary @preparingparents who made me feel safe and heard throughout, what incredible women you are’.

Discussing Ari’s health she didn’t go into specifics but explained: ‘Ari has been quite poorly and he’s unfortunately endured such a lot for a 9 day old, including 2 operations (the first at 4 days old). 

‘It’s been a living nightmare but we are so grateful he is going to be ok and that we are home for Christmas.’

Daisy added: ‘We are so proud of him. Mummy, Daddy and your besotted big brother Asa, could not love you more (unbelievably, we will but it doesn’t seem possible!)

‘Let’s re-start this post partum journey and celebrate our beautiful son properly, in the way he deserves. We love you with all our hearts, Ari Jax’.

Daisy, who played Kim Butterfield until 2018, met Luke, who portrayed Jesse Donovan, while working on the Channel 4 show together, they went on to welcome their first child Asa in October 2021. 

After the stressful first week, Daisy shared how it had inspired his name as she revealed they have called him Ari Jax

Daisy, who played Kim Butterfield until 2018, met Luke, who portrayed Jesse Donovan, while working on the Channel 4 show together, they went on to welcome their first child Asa in 2021

Daisy shared a video from the birth as she penned a lengthy caption 

The pair announced the news they were expecting their second child back in June as they uploaded a photo of her scan, with the caption: ‘Wait till the end to see a big surprise. 

‘Today marks 8 years together and 2 years married (we got married on our anniversary) and what a journey we are on… I really don’t know how I got so lucky.’

She added: ‘Also want to send a message out to all our friends and family who came to our wedding, we love you all so much and are still blown away by all of you coming & bringing the biggest party to the south of Spain! A new adventure begins.’

Earlier this year, Daisy was left ‘devastated’ by the axing of her lead role in Catherine Tyldesley musical Bonnie & Clyde as she says ‘we did not deserve this’.

The Hollyoaks actress had a starring role, but the show was axed following ‘disappointing ticket sales’ and she took to Instagram to discuss her sadness. 

The theatrical rendering of Bonnie & Clyde was pulled from theatres after it was decided that the show was ‘no longer financially viable’.

The actress was touring the UK while sharing the lead role as gangster Blanche Barrow with fellow soap star Catherine, 40.

The pair announced the news they were expecting their second child back in June as they uploaded a photo of her scan, with the caption: ‘Wait till the end to see a big surprise 

Daisy pictured as Kim Butterfield in Hollyoaks 

The production, which was scheduled to tour the UK from April to October, was set to take to the stage in the Southend, Cliffs Pavilion. 

Just four hours before the show, they issued a statement revealing that it had been cancelled, leaving fans ‘gutted’ and ‘disappointed’.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, she penned: ‘Absolutely devastated.

‘This industry pulls some horrendous punches. I have had the time of my life the last few weeks.

‘Sending love to the whole Bonnie & Clyde team. We did not deserve this.’