X Factor star Jai Waetford welcomes his first child with his partner Bec Donaghy

By MARY MRAD FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 06:25 BST, 2 June 2025 | Updated: 06:51 BST, 2 June 2025

Jai Waetford has welcomed his first child with his partner Bec Donaghy.

The former X Factor Australia child star, 25, announced the news by sharing a photo of his girlfriend Bec cradling their newborn baby to Instagram.

‘Sleepy angel,’ he simply captioned the photo.

The couple first announced they were expecting a baby together on New Year’s Day by sharing photos of Bec’s growing baby bump.

Jai, who was just 14 years old when he rose to fame on The X Factor in 2013, doted over Bec as he tenderly cradled her stomach.

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Jai Waetford has welcomed his first child with his partner Bec Donaghy

The former X Factor Australia child star, 25, announced the news by sharing a photo of his girlfriend Bec cradling their newborn baby to Instagram 

He cut a stylish figure in a black T-shirt and cargo trousers, which he styled with a pleather jacket and white trainers.

Bec proudly put her blossoming bump on full display in a black bandeau top and low-rise grey jeans, while she swept a cropped pleather jacket over her shoulders.

In an accompanying caption, the couple gushed: ‘Baby Waetford coming 2025.’

It is not known exactly how long Jai and Bec have been dating but they started featuring on each other’s Instagram pages in 2023.

They went Instagram official in July 2023 with a cosy photograph of them packing on the PDA, which was shared to Bec’s account.

Sydney singer Jai captured Australians’ hearts when he rose to fame on The X Factor in 2013, when he earned the nickname of ‘Aussie Bieber’.

He impressed with his audition, where he sang Different Worlds by Jes Hudak and his own original song Don’t Let Me Go.

He eventually placed third on the fifth season of The X Factor Australia and his debut single Your Eyes peaked at number six on the ARIA Singles Chart.

‘Sleepy angel,’ he simply captioned the photo

In 2016, he moved away from singing and went on to pursue a television career, making his acting debut on Neighbours as Angus Beaumont-Hannay.

He portrayed the son of Sarah Beaumont and Peter Hannay for around 50 episodes before announcing he was relocating to Hollywood.

He signed with the powerful US talent company Creative Artists Agency and spent some time in Africa and South America before returning to Australia.

Since relocating back Down Under, Jai returned to screens in Stan drama Critical Incident.

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X Factor star Jai Waetford welcomes his first child with his partner Bec Donaghy

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