Post by Cornwallgirl on Jun 3, 2007 11:46:21 GMT 1
Steph's Baby Surprise
Stephanie McIntosh has a lot to smile about - the beauty's just become a godmother and she's moving to London
Neighbours' Stephanie McIntosh has found love on the set - and she doesn't care who knows it. Steph's big crush is on Ramsay Street's most adorable actress, Claudine Henningsen, an 11-month-old cutie-pie who has happily gurgled lines to camera for most of her life. The talented tot has played baby Kerry to Steph's wayward character Sky Mangel since she was just eight days old. But the little darling hasn't merely stolen her TV mum's heart - she's won herself a real-life godmother too. "Claudine is the bubbly, light-hearted little person I first met when we shared our birth scene. That was a momentous day, but Claudine was a one-take wonder and even cried on cue - she could 'act'!" laughs Steph, cuddling her brand-new god-daughter at her Melbourne naming ceremony. "Playing a mother there was always going to be a conection, but it was amazing how quickly it happened and how protective I am. Claudine is so easy to love. I'm thrilled that it's official - I'm in her life forever." The lucky girl received her very first blue bag from Tiffany's, with Steph declaring proudly "Je t'aime, Claudine" in her warm speech, thanking her dad Warren and her mum, Mauritian-born Nathalie-Anne Henningsen for the honour.
Becoming a mum last year was a welcome plot twist for Sky, who had previously held Neighbours fans enthralled with black and blue hair, messy romances and a lesbian kiss. "When the writers came to me and said they had a huge story-line planned I really braced myself. What could be next for me? But when I heard Sky was going to have a baby I was thrilled," Steph, 21, recalls. "I often babysat to earn pocket money when I was growing up and I love kids, so having one of my own sounded cool. But I couldn't have dreamt up such a beautiful baby as Claudine. She's lovely, with her blue eyes, dark hair and sweet personality. She's so delicious I could eat her up!"
Sadly, it's now reached the end of the road for the photogenic pair's on-screen journey. Sky and baby Kerry are still on TV in emotional scenes, where they're in jail being menaced by Mary, a character played by Rowena Wallace. But soap princess Steph has quietly ended her four years on Neighbours to give time to her charging pop career. Off to London this week to promote her album Tightrope, with her hit single Mistake already playing in the UK, Steph follows in familiar footsteps - those of her half-brother Jason Donovan. "It's weird that we're following the same path, from Neighbours star to music, 17 years apart, but it's all we've both ever wanted to do," says Steph. Even better, the talented actress will be able to spend some quality time with Jason while she's pursuing her career. Steph's organized to stay with her half-brother, his partner Angela and their kids, Jemma, seven, and Zac, six, in Notting Hill. "He's so excited about me coming over, which is sweet," she laughs. "Now I've grown up, the age gap doesn't matter so I'm close to Jason as a friend as well as a sister. He knows London's music biz inside out and he'll be there to support me. And I know how I'll be repaying him - by babysitting!" says the doting aunt.
While she's away from home, Steph won't just be pining for her god-daughter Claudine. She'll also be missing her big bloke, footy star Nick Riewoldt. "It's going to be really hard to leave him. We're missing each other already, but we're both young and busy. While he's running hard on the football field I'll be working flat out in London, and we'll be thinking of each other all the time we're apart," she says. The couple have been together for two years and Steph adores him, especially his soft side which comes out with Claudine. "Every time Nick visited the set he spent time with Claudine. He thinks she's adorable. He's heard me talk about her so much, and how she tries to stand up on her little legs," Steph grins. "I'm going to miss playing mum to Claudine, but she'll always be my little star, that won't ever change."
New Idea June 2, 2007
By Rose Fydler
Page 22-23
