Ray Quinn reveals baby son Rio was stillborn: 'born sleeping'
Key takeaways
- Ray Quinn announced that his baby son Rio was stillborn on August 20 after his wife Emily felt no movement.
- The couple say a tight knot in the umbilical cord was the cause. They called it "very, very" rare.
- Ray and Emily told their children the truth and shared how they are coping on their podcast The Quinns.
Ray Quinn has shared heartbreaking news. His baby son Rio was stillborn on August 20. The former X Factor star made the announcement on Instagram. He said his son was "born sleeping".
Quinn and his wife Emily then spoke in more detail. They recorded an episode of their podcast, The Quinns. They explained what happened.
They also shared the cause of their son's death.
What happened
Emily was six months pregnant. One day, she noticed that Rio was not moving. The couple decided to go for a scan.
At the scan, they got the worst news. Rio's little heart had stopped beating. Emily later gave birth to Rio in hospital.
The couple got to hold him in their arms.
"It is an honour to say that I gave birth to an angel," Emily said.
The couple shared the news on Instagram with a heartfelt tribute to their baby boy. Fans and fellow celebrities sent messages of support. The news broke widely over the weekend.
The couple also talked to the Honeysuckle team at Liverpool Women's Hospital. That team helps parents through baby loss. They asked for advice on how to tell their children.
Ray and Emily have been together since 2017. Ray is 38. Emily is a dance teacher.
Why it matters
The couple wanted to explain the cause. They first thought they might never get an answer. But the midwives noticed something right away.
When Rio was born, his umbilical cord was tied in a tight knot. That cut off what he needed to survive. Emily said there was nothing they could have done.
There was nothing wrong with her. There was nothing wrong with Rio.
"It was just so unfortunate, that small thing," she said.
Ray added that it was "very, very, rare". He said it would not have shown up on any scan. He said medical staff would not have been looking for it.
This matters because many parents blame themselves after a loss. Ray and Emily wanted other parents to hear their story. Sometimes there is no fault.
Sometimes it is just a tragic accident.
The story also touched many people because of who Ray Quinn is. He rose to fame playing Anthony Murray in Brookside. In 2006, he finished runner-up to Leona Lewis on The X Factor.
He later acted in Hollyoaks.
Ray and Emily are also parents to daughter Summer Reign, 4. Ray has a son Harry, 14, with his ex-wife Emma Stephens. Emily has a son Lucian, 13, from a previous relationship.
Telling the children was the hardest part. Emily said she believes in telling children the truth. She said children can feel when something is wrong.
"We told them both, showed them pictures of Rio," Emily said. She explained that their little brother would not come home with them. She said he was up in the sky.
"Whenever the stars shine, the brightest star at night, that is Rio."
The family lit a candle together. Each person said something to Rio. Some said it out loud.
Some said it in their minds. Emily gave each child a small white wool love heart. She placed one in Rio's little hand too.
"You are connected to Rio no matter what," she told them.
The hospital also gave the family a book called The Cloud Between Us. It is about a bear family going through the same loss.
If you are preparing a child for a new sibling, honesty works the same way. Children handle the truth better than silence. Quinn's family shows how to talk to young kids about the hardest news.
What happens next
Ray and Emily will keep sharing their story on The Quinns. They want to help other parents who have lost a baby. Talking openly can help grieving families feel less alone.
The couple has received huge public support. Friends, fans, and other parents have shared their own stories. Many have thanked the couple for speaking up.
Baby loss is more common than people think. But it is still hard to talk about. Support is available.
In the UK, charities like Sands and The Lullaby Trust help grieving parents. Anyone affected can call their helplines.
Ray Quinn's career continues. But for now, the focus is on family. The couple is spending time with their children.
They are keeping Rio's memory alive.
Their message is simple. Tell the truth. Hold each other close.
And keep talking about the ones you love, even the ones you lost.
If you want to learn more about caring for a newborn, our parenting section has simple guides for new parents.
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