BBC radio star Chelsea Norris reveals heartwarming surprise at annual ladies lunch in Manchester

Popular BBC Radio Manchester breakfast host Chelsea Norris entertained over 500 ladies yesterday in the biggest of her charity lunches to date – and there was a rather special surprise twist, too.

Chelsea, who has been holding annual lunches in Manchester for 14 years, packed out the Hilton Hotel on Deansgate with over 500 women raising money for charities St Ann’s Hospice and Once Upon a Smile.

And there was a big surprise announcement from Chelsea when she invited her husband Ben and three-year-old daughter Minnie onto the stage – to reveal she is expecting baby number two.

The couple gave Minnie a present to say thank you for her being such a good girl whilst Chelsea has been busy organising the lunch.

As she opened the box a balloon came out which read: “Minnie, You’re going to be a big sister”.

The response of Minnie hugging Mum and fist pumping dad made the room break into loud cheer and screams and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Video of the magic moment received a huge response on social media, with scores of messages of congratulations to the family.

Her little face ❤️ https://t.co/LG8uaeyDCN

— Lady Chelsea Norris (@radiochelsea) November 7, 2019

The day raised over £20,000 for both charities, with guests left begging Chelsea to do the lunch again next year.

Chelsea said: “It’s always incredible to me that people trust me year after year to return to my lunches and spend their hard earned money. It means so much to give something back to 2 fantastic charities.”

Ben added: “It was the perfect time to tell Minnie and her response says it all”.

Guest of honour at the 2019 lunch was in the shape of Italian celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo who wowed the ladies wearing a leather jacket and bandana combo.

He arrived on stage to a This Morning style set where Chelsea began a Q&A talking all about Gino’s love for Manchester which is why the city was the choice as the home of his first ever restaurant at the Corn Exchange.

Gino, who is not short of fans in the city, happily posed for pictures with fans at the lunch, which was also attended by the Real Housewives of Cheshire newlyweds Hanna Miraftab and Dr Martin Kinsella.

There was a Christmas fashion show courtesy of local brand Fuzzy Goose as well as live music from Paul Pashley and Stockport band Blank Cheque.