You wouldn’t know that Charlotte Dawson is still in the newborn trenches. The daughter of late comedian Les is bright and full of energy as she sits down for a chat – which is surprising given she’s recently become a mum-of-three.
With the birth of daughter Gigi on 8 March, together with sons Noah, four, and Jude, two, Charlotte, 32, says she’s now completed her family. We catch up with the TV star and her brood at the launch of the Pro Am Padel Tour, in which she will be competing alongside Jason Manford and Richard Fleeshman.
Here, admitting with a laugh that she and her fiancé Matt Sarsfield are “outnumbered”, Charlotte chats about the “beautiful chaos” of her new family dynamic – and reveals when she and Matt, 33, plan to marry.
Hi, Charlotte! So how’s life with three under-fives?
It’s absolute carnage. But it’s a beautiful chaos. They’re my absolute world. I finally got my little girl and the two boys absolutely dote on her. It’s amazing, but really hard. Going from two to three is like having 10 kids, because you’re outnumbered. Two we can manage, because there are two pairs of hands. But I think it’s going to be worth it because when they’re older they’re going to be playing together, they’re going to be best friends.
And what about toddler life?They’re so clumsy. Jude is my anxiety child, because I’m worried about everything, I’ve got to watch everything. I’ve got to have eyes in my bloody bunions, my tits, the back of my head, my arms – everywhere!
Which is the hardest stage, do you think?
Jude’s age is the hardest stage because he’s everywhere. But he’s a ray of sunshine, the happiest little boy, he sleeps well, he’s in his own cot – completely different to Noah – he’s in bed by 7pm so all the chaos is finished by 7pm. We still have chaos with Noah, but he is a good boy, getting to that age where he plays on his own. He chills out watching telly and films, he just wants to be with us all the time, he’s quite needy.
How are you finding breastfeeding?
I absolutely love it. And, obviously, the release from your udders – oh, thank God! I’m pumping as well, obviously. Our babysitter has to feed Gigi when we’re out.
And how are you finding exercise after giving birth?
I’m not really… I’ve not done any fitness since I’ve had Gigi because I’ve got that thing where your tummy doesn’t contract back properly, because I’ve had three babies in such a short space of time. It’s called diastasis recti. Basically, my midwife Said there’s a gap in between my [abdominal] muscles.
That sounds tough…
It’s awful, you still look pregnant. So, it’s really difficult trying outfits on. For this padel tournament, I wanted to be full Chazza glam, I wanted to wear the skirt. But I tried it on and I was like a sausage roll, so I was like, “Matt! I’m gonna have to put leggings on” and it was fine, I feel good, I look good.
That’s what matters – and you look gorgeous…
Thank you. It’s hard when you’ve just had a baby because you feel like a sack of s**t, to put it bluntly. So it is really difficult – especially when you’re trying clothes on and when you’re around fitness people. My belly’s on the wrong way round, my belly should be on my bloody bum! I’ve got the flattest pancake ass in the world. But, anyway, I’m rocking it, I’ve got a hoodie around my waist to hide it.
Are you planning to have more children?
Absolutely not. Matt’s like, “Oh, I think we should have one more.” I just think, “I’ve got everything I want now I have my little girl, I’ve got my two boys who are best friends.” I think we should just focus on me and Matt now. Maybe we should think about getting married… I’ve not got my ring on because it wouldn’t fit on my fat fingers when I was pregnant – then the diamond fell out in the bath. Thank God I kept the bath water in, because I realised it had gone, checked and found it! I said, “If that diamond’s not in the bath we’re not meant to be.” But I found it, thank God.
When do you guys plan to tie the knot, then?
Maybe when it gets a bit easier with the kids. I’d love Gigi to walk down the aisle in a little dress, so I think I might have to wait. I’m gonna have to anyway. I can’t start planning a wedding now, – Jesus, I can’t even sort my own life out!
The Pro Am Padel Tour continues in July, September, and October. Follow @proampadeltour for more updates.
