Radio host Kip Wightman announces birth of baby girl with fiance Nyomie, born one month premature

Kip Wightman has told how he and his fiancee were so caught out by the sudden arrival of their new baby girl, they haven’t even thought of a name yet.

Kip Wightman and his fiance Nyomie Essa. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Brisbane radio host Kip Wightman has joyfully announced the arrival of his new baby girl with fiance Nyomie Essa.

The announcement was made on air during his Wednesday morning show on KIIS 97.3, as he revealed the unexpected early arrival of their daughter, who was born one month premature.

Essa went into labour at midnight on Monday, catching the couple off guard.

“We were very nervous because it was so early. And it was an IVF baby, too, so there’s a lot of risks with all those things. And so we were very stressed,” Wightman shared with his co-host Robin Bailey.

Brisbane radio host Kip Wightman and fiance Nyomie Essa with their daughter. Photo: Instagram.

After rushing to hospital after Essa’s waters broke, and several check-ups, Essa gave birth via caesarean on Tuesday morning. The baby girl, weighing 2.33kg, was delivered at 8.27am, much to the couple’s excitement.

Wightman admitted that the couple was wildly unprepared for the early arrival, having not even picked out a name yet.

They had to quickly arrange for their neighbour to look after Wightman’s four-year-old son Rafael, while they rushed to the hospital.

“At 8.27am out pops our little baby girl,” Wightman recounted.

“We were so happy, we were going to be happy with anything, but we really, really wanted a girl. Rafi really, really wanted a sister, so we were absolutely thrilled.

“We just weren’t ready for this. We had no plan for this.”

The couple is now asking listeners for name suggestions.

“I would love some suggestions because I don’t know where … I’m googling African names. I’m trying to find anything. I’m just desperate at the moment,” Wightman said.

Kip Wightman and partner Nyomie Essa on holiday. Photo: Supplied.

Wightman and Essa announced their pregnancy back in January during an on-air segment where Wightman and his co-hosts underwent lie-detector tests.

Kip Wightman and son Rafael. Photo: Instagram.

The couple’s relationship began in late 2021, with Wightman often describing Essa as an “absolute Godsend”.

Their relationship blossomed from mutual friends to partners, marking a new chapter in Wightman’s life following significant personal and professional changes.

Wightman is father to four-year-old Rafael from his previous marriage to Amber Preiska.

In 2021, Wightman’s four-year marriage with Preiska ended in a high-profile split, prompting him to re-evaluate his life.

After a 15-year tenure with Nova’s popular breakfast show, he made an unexpected departure in October 2021.

Three months later, he joined KIIS 97.3’s breakfast radio team alongside Robin Bailey and Terry Hansen on the newly branded ‘Robin, Kip and Terry Show’ in January 2022.