A thrilled Julia Peckham has spoken of her delight at being a first-time grandmother.

She was with her daughter, television and radio personality Zoe Ball, and new dad Norman Cook before and after the birth of 8lb 5oz Woody at London's exclusive Portland Hospital on Friday evening.

Julia, 51, who lives at Burgess Hill with husband Richard, said yesterday: "It is wonderful, I am just so thrilled.

"He is very well, a very healthy boy, very well indeed."

Top dance DJ Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, was at Zoe's bedside as she gave birth by elective Caesarean. The baby had been due on Christmas Eve.

Julia said: "Zoe is fine, she is remarkably well, I wondered how I would find her yesterday morning following the surgery but she was very bright and excited.

"She has always wanted children she is just thrilled, it was wonderful to see them together, she is just lying there gazing at him."

Norman, who has been with Zoe almost constantly since the birth, is just as besotted by 24-hour-old Woody.

Julia said: "Norman was wonderful, he was so easy with the baby, confident, just carrying him around and talking to him, which was lovely to see."

The couple married in August 1999 after Norman got down on one knee to pop the question on Valentine's Day.

Zoe, who gave-up presenting the Radio One breakfast show earlier this year, has made no secret about wanting to be a mum.

Zoe's father, former children's TV presenter Johhny Ball, was also at the hospital on Friday evening, and told reporters Woody had the Ball family features.

"Zoe said he's got our ears and our noses as well, poor soul."

Julia said speculation on why the couple had named their son Woody - variously after Woody Allen, Woody the Cowboy from the movie Toy Story, or Woody Woodpecker - was misplaced.

"They like the name, as simple as that. It just appealed to them, it was Woody pretty much from the time they knew they were having a boy."

The couple, who have homes in Hove and trendy Primrose Hill, in London, would be spending a family Christmas in Sussex with their new born son, she said, although nobody was making firm plans.

"We have to be flexible when you have a new baby around, they kind of take centre stage."

Describing Woody as a "wonderful Christmas present" she said: "If I could have a special wish for Christmas, we would all wish for all children to arrive with so much love waiting for them."