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Haven’t they Dunn well!

John Fahey
16/ 6/2005

FORMER Blackburn Rovers soccer star David Dunn is celebrating achieving a special kind of goal - becoming a first-time dad.

David, whose family still live in Great Harwood, was said to be overjoyed this week after pretty fiancee Sammy Winward, who plays Katie Sugden in Emmerdale, gave birth to little girl Mia Kate in the early hours of Sunday.

David's grandmother Alice Dunn, 68, of Belmont Road, Great Harwood, said: "We're over the moon to have a great-grandchild - our first.

"Mia weighed in at 5lbs 14oz and she and Sammy are doing well. We rushed over to see them on Sunday after being woken very late on Saturday night with the news.

"But it was lovely news to be woken with.

"Sammy had a natural birth at their home in Bolton. She didn't have gas and air, she was very brave."

David's grandad, also called David, added: "We're chuffed to blazes, it's fantastic. David has had a rough 18 months with injuries.

"Four weeks ago I took him for an operation with the specialist, which lasted more than six hours, to remedy a problem with his back.

"But the prospect of the baby has really kept his spirits high. He has been injured and unable to get in the team but the baby has really delighted him."

David's mum Susan, who also lives in Belmont Road, said: "Sammy was at my house in the morning and went home with backache. And then before we knew it she'd had Mia, it was a quick labour. We can't describe the feeling, it's golden."

The couple will soon move from Bolton to a new home in the Midlands where David plays for Birmingham.