Content warning: This article discusses baby loss and neonatal death.
Comedian Russell Howard has shared the devastating news that his baby son, Felix, died shortly after being born earlier this year.
The 46-year-old said the loss had changed his family forever. He and his wife, NHS doctor Cerys Morgan, had not previously spoken publicly about the pregnancy.
In announcing Felix’s death, Howard paid tribute to the hospital staff who supported the couple through an unimaginably painful time. He described the compassion shown to his family and highlighted the difference that specialist bereavement care can make to parents whose baby dies.
The couple were supported by a bereavement midwife named Lauren, who had experienced the loss of her own baby before retraining to help other families facing similar circumstances.
Felix was placed in a cooling cot, specialist equipment which allowed Russell and Cerys to remain with him for longer. They were able to hold their son, speak to him and tell him how deeply he was loved.
Howard said those hours became some of their most treasured memories of Felix.
Turning grief into support for other families
Following their experience, Russell and Cerys made a commitment to help improve the care available to other parents experiencing miscarriage, premature birth, stillbirth or neonatal death.
They have now established The Felix Foundation in their son’s memory.
The charity plans to fund specialist education for healthcare professionals, including bereavement training for midwives. It will also support hospitals in creating private, compassionate spaces where families can spend time together after the death of a baby.
Funding may be used for dedicated bereavement rooms, cooling cots and other equipment that helps parents preserve precious memories while being treated with privacy and dignity.
The foundation will also offer information and guidance to bereaved families and work to improve awareness of the support parents and their wider families may need.
For dads in particular, baby loss can bring an additional and often unspoken pressure to remain strong while supporting a partner and dealing with their own grief. Fathers’ pain can be overlooked, but their need for understanding, time and specialist support is no less real.
A night of comedy in Felix’s name
To raise money for the foundation, Howard will host a major charity comedy gala at The O2 in London on 8 February 2027.
The line-up includes Aisling Bea, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Greg Davies, Guz Khan, Michael McIntyre, Mo Gilligan and Michelle Wolf, with further performers expected to be announced. The comedians are donating their time, and proceeds will support the foundation’s work.
Howard said that although Felix is missed every day, his family hopes his name will become associated with kindness, compassion and laughter.
You can learn more about The Felix Foundation and its work or find details of the charity stand-up gala.
Support after baby loss
If this story has affected you, the Sands National Helpline offers confidential support to anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss.
Call 0808 164 3332 or email [email protected]. Support is available to dads, mums, partners, siblings, grandparents, friends and healthcare professionals.
