Former Hollyoaks heart-throb Marcus Patric has spoken exclusively to HELLO! about his whirlwind few months which included becoming the shock winner of 71 Degrees North, and becoming a father. His son, Ethan, whose mother is 22-year-old air stewardess Georgia Martin, was born five weeks ago.
“Ethan was born on 4 October, the day that my dad died when I was only seven years old,” reveals Marcus. “So on the day I lost my dad, I gained a son. He’s a little miracle.”
Marcus’s father had died of a heart attack. “I’ve grown up without my dad – you never come to terms with a loss like that. It’s something that is obviously very raw.”
“Having my son now helps me a lot,” he added. “It’s a wonderful thing to have happened – that on what used to be such a dark day for my family, Ethan was born.” Marcus also told HELLO! how he “still can’t believe” that he won the tough 71 Degrees North, which involved surviving Arctic temperatures and life-threatening challenges. He was the surprise victor against rugby player Gavin Henson.
“Everyone loves an underdog and I’m very happy to take the victory from the tanned, smug so-and-so!” he joked. The two TV rivals have remained friends since the show. “I’ve spoken to and texted Gavin, and watched him prancing around on Strictly Come Dancing,” added Marcus.
The actor is now looking forward to a future with Georgia and their son. He and Georgia met through a friend in a London club. “We love each other and we just totally fit together,” said Marcus. “Since I met Georgia, everything has slotted into place.”
He admits that Ethan was “a great surprise” but says he would “definitely like more children. He added: “As far as getting married is concerned, we’ll know when the time is right.”
SEE THE FULL EXCLUSIVE STORY IN HELLO! MAGAZINE, ISSUE 1149