Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal welcomes his fourth child at 51 years old

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has become a father for the fourth time, as his new girlfriend, Stephanie Gouveia, welcomed their first child together.

The news were confirmed by the British chef's rep, who revealed the couple welcomed a baby at the end of last year. 'I can confirm Heston and Stephanie have had a child at the end of last year, but we won’t be giving any further information', the rep told The Daily Mail.

This is the first baby Heston and Stephanie - a French real-estate broker - have together, after reportedly getting together in 2016.

The new relationship started just as he was officially granted divorce from his ex-wife Zanna, after 28 years of marriage. The two initially announced their split in 2011.

Heston with Stephanie

Heston and Zanna met when they were teenagers, and tied the knot in 1989, before having three children - Zack, 25, Jessie, 22, and Joy, 20.

Speaking of his ex-wife, with whom he remains on good terms with, Heston said his success was mostly thanks to her support.

'Zanna is the biggest reason for the success of the restaurant. She has been the one doing the sacrificing in order to support what I wanted to do,' he said.

After splitting from his wife, Heston dated American cookery writer and actress Suzanne Pirret, before starting his relationship with Stephanie.

Heston with Suzanne Pirret

Speaking to Event magazine, the TV star has previously said he regrets not spending enough time with his children.

'I remember I had a back operation over Christmas when we were closed at The Fat Duck. I was on crutches, putting up decorations with my son Jack, and he said, "This is the first time we've done this, Dad."

'He was 13 or 14. For some reason I thought, "Isn't that cute?" But then it struck me, "Oh my God, this really is not right." I carried that regret for a while, along with other regrets.'