Johnny Smacks announced that he and his wife Annie welcomed their first child at the end of 2025.
The podcaster explained how his son, JJ, had been born with a rare health condition, gastroschisis.
This means that JJ’s abdomen didn’t develop properly and his intestines are on the outside of his body.
Now Johnny Smacks has shared a positive update about the newborn on his popular podcast, The 2 Johnnies.
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“He had his fifth and final operation last week,” he shared adding that the baby has had his first bowel movement, which is a positive step in this diagnosis.
He joked that he wanted to do a “celebration” a la Robbie Keane after this.
“It is great news, he is on the road to recovery. Next step will be home, which will probably be another few weeks…He’s going in the right direction,” he shared.
So it looks like they will finally be able to bring their tot home after over a month in hospital.
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In December, Johnny shared that he was a father in an emotional post on the comedy duo’s Instagram, writing: “It’s been a whirlwind, but the best kind. From early in the pregnancy, we knew there would be complications, and when JJ was born he was diagnosed with gastroschisis.”
“He needed a couple of operations straight away, and he’ll be in hospital for a while yet, but he’s already shown unbelievable fight.”
The comedian also shared his gratitude towards the staff at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin for the care his son and family have received so far.
“The care, support and kindness they’ve shown us has been outstanding, and we’ll never be able to thank them enough,” he said.
The comedian continued on to praise his wife Annie, who he married in 2022, for her strength through the whole journey.
“She’s been incredible throughout everything – strong, calm and absolutely heroic. JJ is lucky to have her as his mam.”
