Boris Johnson says he feared never meeting son Wilfred during coronavirus illness

‘We’ve all got a lot to live for,’ the prime minister says

Boris Johnson has said he feared never getting to see his newborn son after he was admitted to intensive care with coronavirus.

The Prime Minister’s fiancé, Carrie Symonds, gave birth to their son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas, on 29 April, less than three weeks after he was discharged from hospital.

During an interview with The Sun on Sunday, Mr Johnson was asked if he was concerned that he might never meet the newborn, as his health continued to deteriorate in intensive care.

“Well, yes, of course,” the prime minister replied.

“We’ve all got a lot to live for, a lot to do, and I won’t hide it from you, I was thinking about that, yes.”

However, Mr Johnson added that focusing on “positive thoughts” about Ms Symonds and his other children is what fuelled his determination to fight off the virus.

“I suppose there was some terrible, as I say, some natural buoyancy or refusal to give in or harbour negative thoughts,” he said. “I never really thought that I wouldn’t come back from it. It was more frustration.”

Johnson went on to add that he was “thrilled” following the birth of his son.

On Saturday, Ms Symonds announced the name of the newborn on Instagram alongside a photo of herself holding the baby.

“Introducing Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson born on 29.04.20 at 9am,” she wrote.

“Thank you so, so much to the incredible NHS maternity team at UCLH that looked after us so well. I couldn't be happier. My heart is full.”

The 32-year-old also revealed that each of the names were of particular significance to the couple.

The baby's first two names were selected in memory of both Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds' grandfathers, while the name Nicholas had been chosen as a tribute to the NHS doctors who treated the prime minister while he was undergoing treatment for coronavirus, Dr Nick Price and Dr Nick Hart.

You can read more about the meaning behind the child’s name here.