MKR's Simone reveals the very Italian name he's chosen for his baby: 'Excited'

In addition to making it to the grand final of My Kitchen Rules 2024 with his best friend Viviana, Simone is celebrating some very exciting personal news this week. The Italian-born restaurateur announced at the end of Monday night’s episode that he and his partner Victoria are expecting their first child together.

Simone tells Yahoo Lifestyle that it’s hard to describe just how excited he is to become a father, but he’s also quite “nervous for the unknown”.

“This year has been a very, very crazy year, too many things are happening and it's very hard to manage them all. But with the help of Viviana, we're gonna get through it,” he shares.

“Obviously, this is going to be my first baby, so I really don't know much about being a father. We’ve been doing a pregnancy course just to get ready and understand what fatherhood is, so now I’ve got a lot more answers and I feel a bit better.”

RELATED:

• MKR's Colin Fassnidge announces new series with Manu Feildel in 2025

• MKR star reveals major casting secret ahead of grand final: 'Holding me back'

• MKR's Caz and Fergus reveal truth about Janey and Maddie's 'edit'

Simone reveals adorable baby name

Simone shares that he and Victoria, who made a brief appearance on the show earlier this month, have already decided on what their child’s name will be.

“I'm sure our little Romeo - Romeo will be the name of the baby - will be fantastic,” he says, before adding with a laugh, “Manu and Colin will be the middle names! Romeo Manu Colin Prest”.

Romeo is an Italian masculine name that comes from the Greek word for a Roman citizen or a pilgrim to Rome. The name’s popularity is mainly credited to the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet and there are a handful of celebrities who share the name, including rapper Romeo Miller and Victoria and David Beckham’s second son Romeo Beckham.

Sweet way Simone shared the news with Viviana

Meanwhile, Viviana reveals that she had a very strong reaction when Simone called her to share the news that he and Victoria were expecting their first child together.

“I was in my pyjamas and then he video-called me, and I started crying so badly,” she recalls. “I was shocked, I wasn't expecting it. I almost passed out in my pyjamas at home. I was like, this is insane. I’m so happy for them.

“I can’t wait to be an aunty! I’ve already bought so many bodysuits that say, ‘I don’t want to be with mum and dad, bring me to aunty’ and stuff.”

'We won no matter what'

Simone and Viviana are set to go head-to-head with mother-and-son duo Caz and Fergus in the MKR grand final on Tuesday night, with the winning team taking home the $100,000 prize money.

“I don't even have the right vocabulary to express how much of an honour it would be to win the title and the money. But mostly, being a champion and winning something - I've never won anything in my life,” Viviana remarks.

SHOP:

• Simple way to 'drastically alter' any room in your house with just one item

• Aussies urged to embrace kitchen rule that's 'non-negotiable' overseas

• New leakproof water bottle that's $20 less than a Stanley: 'So pretty'

“We're gonna make Brisbane and Queensland and Italy proud of us, regardless if we win or not,” Simone adds. “We put our heart into this project and we won no matter what.”

MKR grand final airs 7:30pm tonight on Channel Seven and 7plus

Want the latest lifestyle and entertainment news? Make sure you are following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter.