Mr Bean star Rowan Atkinson to take year off work to look after his baby daughter full-time
ROWAN Atkinson has stunned pals by telling them he plans to take a year off work to look after his daughter “Baby Bean”.
Comedian Rowan, 64, announced he will become a full-time dad to one-year old Isla - allowing his actress partner Louise Ford, 35, to focus on her career.
Blackadder and Mr Bean star Rowan told friends: “I am going to take care of Baby Bean while Louise has the chance to concentrate on acting.”
The star and Louise met in 2013 and she gave birth to their daughter Isla May – who Rowan has dubbed “Baby Bean” - in December 2017.
And now Rowan, who starred in last year’s James Bond parody film Johnny English Strikes Again, has told Louise he is happy to stay at home for the next year.
It comes as pretty Louise’s career soars after she starred as Kate Middleton in Channel 4 comedy spoof The Windsors.
A source said: “Rowan has a habit of surprising people – and he has done it again with this announcement.
“He has said he will take a back seat from work to be with Isla, and this will obviously allow Louise to focus on her career which is going well.
“Rowan loves spending time with Isla, he completely dotes on her.
“She is mischievous like any baby and gets into scrapes at home, which is why Rowan calls her ‘Baby Bean’.
“But the gesture if very generous and typical of Rowan, and it is very good for Louise. Obviously she will spend loads of time with Isla and Rowan but it gives her the freedom to take up roles if they’re offered.
“Rowan does not really need to work if he does not want to – but he is proud of how well Louise is doing and wants to do what he can to support her.”
Rowan – said to be worth £100 million – and Louise met after they starred together in West End play The Quartermaine’s Terms in 2012.
They later started dating and went public with their romance in 2014.
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Rowan and Louise’s romance began soon after the funnyman’s 23-year marriage to Sunetra Sastry, 55 – mother to his two grown-up children - ended.
In 2016 The Sun told how Rowan had moved Louise into his £5 million North London cottage, where they live with Isla.
In March 2017, Rowan made a rare public appearance as Mr Bean premiere of film Top Funny Comedian – which was only released in China.
Londoner Louise starred in TV series Doc Martin and Crashing and the film Fast Girls – but is best known for her hilarious portrayal of Kate in The Windsors.
Rowan's agent did not respond to a request for a comment.
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