Elsa Rae and Marcus John Welcome Baby Boy Marley
Big Brother 22 stars Elsa Rae and Marcus John have announced the birth of their son, Marley Isaac Mark John, on October 2, 2026.
Elsa Rae and Marcus John have announced the birth of their son, Marley Isaac Mark John. The baby was born on October 2, 2026, with the couple sharing the news via an Instagram post on Saturday, October 3.
The post featured hospital photos of the new parents with their newborn. Elsa Rae wrote the caption herself. "Marley Isaac Mark John - Born on 02.10.26, our greatest creation," she said. The images showed the baby wrapped in a blue blanket and wearing a woolly hat.
From Big Brother romance to parenthood
Elsa Rae and Marcus John's relationship began inside the Big Brother house during Season 22. They confessed their love for each other before the finale, where Elsa finished as runner-up to winner Richard Storry. Just days after the finale, Marcus John decorated a hotel room with red balloons to ask Elsa to be his girlfriend. One balloon read 'Will you be my girlfriend?'
Speaking after leaving the house, Elsa Rae reflected on their fast-paced connection. "We sort of have been together like literally every day since getting out," she said. So I think things will move slowly and quickly. But I think it will be more natural outside, less intense. Marcus John had also expressed strong feelings in the Diary Room. Things with Elsa couldn’t be any better, he stated. And I was reluctant to use that word, but that’s where we are at, that’s where I’m at, anyway.
The couple announced Elsa's pregnancy in March, four months after they officially became a couple. She posted a scan image with the caption 'we’ve been keeping a little secret…our bubba due October 2026! We are so very excited'. She later documented her pregnancy online with glamorous bump selfies. In May, a post showing a diamond on her ring finger sparked engagement rumours. She captioned it 'The most special ring, on the most special day, we have come so far'. They held a baby shower attended by several fellow housemates in August.
Celebrity and fan reactions flood in
The birth announcement prompted a flood of congratulatory messages from former co-stars and fans. Celebrity Big Brother alum JoJo Siwa commented 'Omg!!! Congratulations 🤍'. Fellow Season 22 housemate Zelah Glasson wrote 'Awww guys congratulations and welcome Marley🥹🫶🏽💕'.
Previous Big Brother winner Ali Bromley also commented, as did former housemates Amy Hart and Emily Hewertson. Kerry Riches, another co-star, shared warm praise. Congratulations you two 🩵🩵🩵 @elsarae.x you look incredible my darling, she wrote.
Followers also celebrated the news, with many remarking on Elsa's post-birth appearance. One commented 'Congratulations.. How can someone look so amaze after giving birth'. Another added 'this girl will always glow look at how amazing she looks after birth. Congratulations queen'.
The baby was born at 1.33pm weighing 9lb 11oz and was noted to have an impressive head of brown hair.
