Hugh Grant has become a father for the first time and welcomes a baby girl after his ex-girlfriend, Tinglan Hong gave birth following a “fleeting affair”.
The pregnancy was not planned and the child, who has not been named, is now five weeks old.
Hugh Grant, 51, is not believed to have been present at the birth but he is said to have spent around half an hour with her the following day before heading to Scotland to play in a golf tournament.
According to some reports, Tinglan Hong, 32, gave birth on the afternoon of September 26.
The baby was delivered at the private Portland Hospital in central London by caesarean section. It is believed the mother used the name “Sophie” Hong during her stay at the hospital.
Hugh Grant – who previously dated Liz Hurley and Jemima Khan and has a reputation as a commitment-phobe – had a short-lived relationship with Tinglan Hong, who is Chinese and said to be an actress.
Hugh Grant and Tinglan Hong are no longer together and last night actor’ spokesman said:
“I can confirm that Hugh Grant is the delighted father of a baby girl. He and the mother had a fleeting affair and while this was not planned, Hugh could not be happier or more supportive.
“He and the mother have discussed everything and are on very friendly terms.”
However, the identity of the mother was not disclosed in the statement, nor were details of the couple’s relationship.
Tinglan Hong – who had been living in Merton, south London – is said to have moved close to Grant’s £3 million home in Fulham, south-west London. According to Westminster Register Office, the birth had still not been registered yesterday. Legally, it has to be registered by next Monday.
Hugh Grant and Tinglan Hong met last year and began dating in January. Their relationship is said to have petered out soon after she fell pregnant.
In September, a heavily pregnant Tinglan Hong was photographed strolling in London in a baggy pink and white top and a cream cardigan.
On the day that Tinglan Hong gave birth, Hugh Grant – who rose to fame in Four Weddings And A Funeral and is estimated to be worth £40 million – was at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Hugh Grant even posed for a photograph with deputy leader Harriet Harman after she congratulated him for “bravely speaking out” about the phone-hacking scandal which led to the closure of the News Of The World.
Following his trip to see the child, Hugh Grant headed to Scotland. On September 28, the actor teed off alongside professional David Howell at annual celebrity golf tournament The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
It was the same event at which Liz Hurley announced her engagement to cricketer Shane Warne, who proposed over dinner.
Hugh Grant spent four days at the event, although his involvement in the tournament ended after three rounds.
Some questioned actor’s decision to go to the tournament so soon after the birth.
One source close to Hugh Grant was reported to have told a U.S. website last night:
“He’s going to be a great dad! He’s beaming about his daughter. He’s not with the mum any more but he’s absolutely thrilled.”
On September 23, three days before the birth, Hugh Grant seemingly hinted at his impending fatherhood when he tweeted:
“Recently, in my life, everything is beautiful! I’m happy.”
Four years ago Hugh Grant told glossy magazine Vogue he was ready to be a father, saying: “As much as I adore myself, I’m quite keen to find someone else to care about more. I remember reading a Warren Beatty quote when he finally had children and said “what a relief it was not to be all me, me, me.”
In 2010, Hugh Grant told a Spanish TV show: “I have some resolutions like losing some pounds. I also need to get married and have children. I need a new house.”
And in September 2010, the actor said he “should settle down” and that he wished he had children.
Hugh Grant also revealed he was attracted to Chinese women after a visit to the country in 2010, where he had “fallen in love four times” in 24 hours.
Hugh Grant – who has never married – has starred in films including About A Boy and Notting Hill.
In 1995, Hugh Grant starred alongside Julianne Moore in the film Nine Months, which told the story of a commitment-phobe who finds out his long-term girlfriend is pregnant.
Hugh Grant dated Elizabeth Hurley, now 46, for 13 years before they split in 2000, five years after he was caught cheating with Hollywood prostitute Divine Brown.
Hugh Grant and socialite Jemima Khan, now 37, then dated for three years from 2004.
