A BRIT rock star has revealed how he has become a dad for the first time.
Royal Blood’s guitarist Ben Thatcher, 38, also thrilled fans when he announced his newborn son’s unusual name.
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Royal Blood star Ben Thatcher has revealed he has become a dad for the first timeCredit: Roddy ScottThe drummer shared this picture of his babyCredit: Instagram/ @benjitalentBen welcomed his son with his partner BeccaCredit: Instagram/ @benjitalent
The Brit Award-winning musician revealed that he and his longterm partner Becca had welcomed a baby boy named Phoenix.
The star took to Instagram this afternoon to announce the news and also shared a glimpse of his new arrival with his army of followers.
Writing alongside an adorable snap of the newborn baby, which shows the rocker cradling his son, the proud dad wrote: “Introducing my little boy, Phoenix Rue Thatcher.
“He has stolen my heart. @beccamcginty_ thank you for growing this little miracle.
“I love you, you’re already the greatest mum to our wee lad. And thank you to @nhssurreysussex for delivering our little boy safely into the world.”
Ben’s friends and followers including some of his celebrity pals were quick to congratulate him on the news.
Strictly Come Dancing star, and fellow new dad, Joe Sugg was one of the first to send well wishes, penning: “Congrats to you both!”
While Radio 1 host Jack Saunders said: “Congratulations to you both. What a gorgeous boy.”
Brit actress Emma Laird gushed: “Congratulations oh my gosh.”
Ben along with his bandmate Mike Kerr formed Royal Blood back in 2011.
Ben shot to fame as the drummer in Royal BloodCredit: Getty – Contributor
They have since gone on to make history after their first four albums all hit the No. 1 spot in the charts.
They aren’t just famous in the UK, Royal Blood have also achieved global success and played sold out shows and festivals across the world.
They have also performed with fellow rock icons including Muse and Foo Fighters, who both personally invited them to support them on their stadium tours.
Previously speaking to The Sun about performing with these huge bands, Ben told us in 2023: “Muse are a fantastic band for us to open up for because our fans kind of have the same DNA.
“So, for us to go out into those stadiums is like playing to a lot of our fans really, but in places where we wouldn’t be able to play normally.
“Like the Stade de France in Paris, which was amazing.
THE latest bizarre plane seat concept has revealed it’s ‘final’ design – but won’t be one if you’re claustrophobic.
First revealed back in 2020, the Chaise Longue Economy Seat would see two layers of seating – essentially double decker rows.
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Double decker seats could one day roll out on flightsCredit: Chaise LongueThe new designs reveal a lot more space for economy travellersCredit: Chaise LongueSome people who tested it said the legroom felt more like business classCredit: Chaise Longue
It’s been designed by Núñez Vicente, who as a then-21-year-old student, created it as a college project.
He was inspired after a flight to Europe, slamming the lack of legroom on offer by budget airlines.
The unusual seating design would – in theory – allow more legroom for passengers as there wouldn’t be a seat directly in front.
Not only that, but reclined seats would also causes fewer problems, as they wouldn’t invade the space of the passenger behind them.
Overhead lockers would be replaced with compartments under each seat – so no battling for space there either.
Other future designs could include lie flat beds even in the middle.
However, some have cited concerns over the claustrophobic designs, as well as it being just another way airlines will cram more seats into the cabin.
Despite this, Mr Vincente said that the designs were not “a joke on the internet” but a real project he wants to get rolled out.
His latest designs were revealed at this year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Germany, a huge aviation show that takes place every year.
He told CNN Travel that this was their “best” design and would be as much as they could design as a small start up.
Not only that, but he said he was often consulting with airline bosses in regard to one day rolling these out – last year Airbus said they were “exploring early stage concepts”.
Despite this, the latest design has added slightly more legroom – meaning they are unlikely to remain as a basic economy prospect.
He added: “We have been moving the concept towards more of a premium economy experience.
“We have met directly with airlines and airline executives, CEOs and their customer experience departments, and they told us exactly what they wanted – and they wanted this seat to be something more than just economy.”
Tests conducted by fake passengers earlier this year praised the product, with some saying the lower level seats were closer to a business class seat.
He also maintains that if it did get rolled out – perhaps as an option in the middle of the plane, with other standard premium seats on either side – it could trickle down to economy,
What we REALLY think of these new plane seats
The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey weighs in.
We all know airlines are looking at ways to fit more passengers onboard to squeeze even more money out of us.
At first glance, these double decker seats seem exciting – I hate having someone recline their seat straight into my face.
Not only that but more space for my bags and legs is always a win.
But they feel much too small to be comfortable for anything on a long flight.
And having someone clamber down from above me seems like all kinds of hell.
There is already huge problems when it comes to emergency evacuations on planes as well, with passengers trying to get their bags against safety advice.
Most airlines have to be able to be evacuated in 90 seconds – I highly doubt this would work.
Another airline is launching their own version of double decker economy seats – but as bunk beds.
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