Television presenter and media personality Will Best has announced the birth of his first child, a baby boy named Sonny Best, with his fiancée, Tobi Rose. The arrival comes while Best is actively competing on the BBC One ballroom dancing series Strictly Come Dancing.
The 41-year-old Big Brother host shared the news via a social media post featuring photos and a video from the hospital. In the video clip, Best addressed the camera, saying, “I got this really cool new thing today. Lots of people get ’em but they are pretty cool,” before panning down to show the newborn sleeping in his arms.
The Timing of Sonny’s Arrival
According to updates shared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, baby Sonny arrived on Sunday morning, October 11, just hours after Best completed the live Saturday night broadcast. Best described the birth as well-timed given his demanding competition schedule, though he admitted he had not slept in days.
“I do have some big news to share…. My amazing, beautiful fiancée and I have got a baby now, we’ve got a little baby,” Best said in a pre-recorded segment on It Takes Two. “Sunday morning he arrived. And he’s amazing, and Tobes is doing really well. And yeah, it’s the most surreal, wonderful thing. I haven’t slept for a couple days!”
Balancing Fatherhood and Strictly Come Dancing
Fiancée Tobi Rose highlighted the physical toll of juggling a newborn and intense ballroom training in a social media comment, asking: “What’s worse Will Best, a new born baby and no sleep, learning the jive on no sleep OR learning the jive at the same time as having a new born baby AND no sleep?”
Despite the lack of sleep, Best has continued his participation in the BBC competition. He is partnered with professional dancer Dianne Buswell, who welcomed a child with partner Joe Sugg the previous year.
Celebrity and Fan Reactions
Following the announcement, congratulatory messages came in from television personalities, hosts, and Strictly cast members.
- Dianne Buswell: “Yay, I’m so happy for you and Tobi and Bowie is so excited to meet little Sonny.”
- Josh Widdicombe: “Holy moly!!!! Congratulations mate!”
- Fleur East: “Awww yay!!! Welcome Sonny Best! So excited for you! Congratulations to you and Tobi. Hope you’re all doing well. Go and smash it on that ballroom floor for your little family!”
- Oti Mabuse: “Omggggggggggggggg congratulations.”
Best and Rose have been in a relationship for nearly 15 years and announced their engagement following a trip to Italy in 2024. The new parents are now adjusting to life with their newborn as Best prepares for his upcoming weekend routines on the Strictly dancefloor.
