Katherine Ryan gives birth to fourth child as Bobby Kootstra reveals

Katherine Ryan has given birth to her fourth child, with her husband Bobby Kootstra revealing their baby daughter’s name and gushing over his wife’s ‘greatness’. 

The couple, who exchanged vows in 2019, confirmed the birth of a baby girl on social media on Instagram on Saturday, with Bobby revealing their daughter’s name is Holland Juliette Kootstra.

Sharing an array of sweet snaps, Katherine’s husband Bobby wrote: ‘Holland Juliette Kootstra has arrived:) The ‘Patrick Mahomes’ of child birth pulled out another MVP performance! Amazing to witness the greatness of @kathbum #blessed.’

Katherine, 42, already shares son Fred, four, and daughter Fenna, two, with Bobby. She is also mother to her first daughter Violet, 16, from a previous relationship. 

Among the snaps shared by Bobby included adorable pictures of both Fred and Fenna meeting their baby sister.

Elsewhere Bobby could be seen carrying baby Holland out of the hospital as the now family-of-six headed home.  

She has been open about her fertility struggles in recent years, revealing in 2024 that she had had three miscarriages in five years.

Speaking in November, Katherine admitted she would love to have more kids – but was worried about her age. 

‘I’m old. I used to think I was going to be the babies’ dad because I’m working but actually I’m like their grandmother,’ she quipped at the time. My back hurts, sometimes I give them treats. I’m like a fun grandma.’

The comedian also revealed in March 2025 that she was battling melanoma for the second time. 

She made the revelation in her podcast, Telling Everybody Everything, explaining she paid to have mole removed from her arm and learned it was cancerous. She added that she required more surgery to ensure the entire mass has been removed.

The star is gearing up for another busy period of work, embarking on her Battleaxe comedy tour this month. 

She also hosts multiple podcasts, including her most recent What’s My Age Again? – a ‘refreshing and humorous take on ageing, wellness, and self-discovery.’

The TV star revealed in 2022 that she had kept her second pregnancy a secret, because she was scared it would lead to her losing work.

She was eight months pregnant when she presented ITV’s Ready To Mingle, a fact that she hid from everyone. 

Katherine and her husband Bobby have been together since 2018, but have known each other since they were children as they grew up together in Canada. 

Childhood sweethearts, the two parted ways initially before rekindling their romance this side of the Atlantic.

The couple revealed in the latest series of the family’s reality show that they ‘wanted the option of having a fourth [child].’

The series saw the couple exploring their marriage through therapy before visiting a fertility clinic. 

Katherine admitted in the scenes which aired in February that she knew conceiving a fourth child would be challenging thanks to both her and Bobby’s age.

‘It’s not that surprising that over-40 women have fewer follicles than we once did,’ said Katherine. ‘But we talk a lot about male fertility as well, which is on a steep decline. But I would still like a fourth baby.

We are so blessed to have the kids that we do have. Having children is not for everyone, but I personally really like making people. I think it’s a superpower, if you can do it.’

She explained at the time how she and her husband had never previously struggled with getting pregnant but had suffered multiple losses.

‘We’ve always gotten pregnant with the babies quite quickly. I’ve been pregnant five times in five years, but that also means I’ve had three miscarriages in five years and the likelihood of that increases as you get older,’ she explained. 

‘You have to find a balance between what you can personally stand and risks you’re willing to take. I’m working a lot and I don’t know if I could have a medical emergency like that while I’m in Lisbon on Thursday.’ 

Speaking to OK! last year she also ruled out surrogacy, explaining: ‘I think surrogacy is wonderful. It’s beautiful for people who are really eager to offer it and for couples who need it but for me, I think it would be exploitative.’ 

Appearing on the Chris Moyles Show in November, she admitted: ‘I’d have so many more if I could.

‘If I was a dad, I’d be like Robert De Niro having them. Because you can have kids when you’re 80 as a dad. You just have to.’