London, July 2 (IANS) Raymond Calvert, who became Britain’s oldest father at 78 after fathering a child with a woman who is 54 years younger to him, says: ‘The baby was planned and I did not use Viagra or anything like that.’
Raymond and Charlotte Calvert, 25, have become proud parents of a baby boy.
He was 78 when the couple’s baby was born ten weeks ago, smashing a record set by Dennis Ealam, who was 76 when his wife Cora gave birth to daughter Jessie in Lincoln last December.
‘I am the most fortunate man in the world. It makes me feel 10ft tall.
‘The baby was planned and I did not use Viagra or anything like that. I didn’t actually think at my age that it would be possible to have a child, but he’s a beautiful little fella. I feel blessed. I look at that baby and I think, ‘He’s so bloody healthy and good-looking – how did I make that’?,’ The Sun Friday quoted Raymond as saying.
‘For an older man, it’s just amazing…I bumped into a load of bikers the other day. One came up to me, shook my hand and said, ‘I hope I can be like you at your age’!’
Raymond met Charlotte after sharing a three-year relationship with her mother.
‘The first time I saw Charlotte she was around 16. Obviously nothing happened then, but she started coming on caravan holidays with me and my kids. We were all buddies and the two of us got on really well. But it wasn’t until five years ago that romance kicked in. We realised we cared a great deal for each other.’
‘In the early stages of our relationship, we’d sneak kisses when my children weren’t watching,’ he added.
Charlotte said: ‘I realised it would be nice to have a baby Raymond. He has such a lot of nice qualities. I knew he’d be a great dad as he’s done such a good job with his own children. He has so much energy and vitality and is so caring.
‘I conceived virtually the moment we stopped using contraception. I was gobsmacked because you just think it’s going to take a long time with somebody older. Ray’s face lit up when I told him and he was so happy.’
