FOR ONE Ipswich woman, having her world famous big brother's private life splashed across every tabloid newspaper has not always been easy.But Lea Dye is thrilled to bits that sibling Darren Day has hit the headlines for the right reasons in recent weeks, after the birth of his first child.

FOR ONE Ipswich woman, having her world famous big brother's private life splashed across every tabloid newspaper has not always been easy.

But Lea Dye is thrilled to bits that sibling Darren Day has hit the headlines for the right reasons in recent weeks, after the birth of his first child.

Darren's fiancée Suzanne Shaw, previously of Popstars group Hear'Say, gave birth to little Corey MacKenzie - weighing in at just over five pounds - on December 16.

And sister Lea is as delighted as Darren at the new addition to the family.

She said: "When I found out that Suzanne had given birth to a little boy, I was really pleased. It was fantastic news. The rest of the family were delighted and really excited too.

"Darren has taken to being a dad really well. He absolutely loves it. It was quite surprising."

Darren, 36, and Lea, 33, are from Colchester originally but Lea moved to Ipswich ten years ago and has lived in the town ever since.

She has always followed his career closely but shied away from commenting on her brother publicly.

Lea, of Beechcroft Road, said: "There have always been lots of stories about him in the past.

"I know my Mum has spoken to the newspapers in Colchester about him on several occasions, but I have kept out of it because they haven't always been nice stories."

On Valentines Day, Darren began a run of seven weeks playing Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New London Theatre in Covent Garden. Wife-to-be Suzanne is also in the show, making her West End debut as the narrator.

Suzanne and Darren are frequent visitors to Ipswich and Lea said they always enjoy their time in Suffolk.

She added: "They like Ipswich a lot. When they come down, they head into town and get loads of people recognising them.

"Everyone wants to get their autographs."