I surprised my father on his wedding day by announcing my pregnancy

Ella Amber, 32, from Birmingham, West Midlands, divided opinion when she surprised her father on his wedding day - by announcing her pregnancy during her speech

Ella, who had been trying for a baby for three months, gave a speech at the reception of the marriage of her dad, 61 (pictured, with her sister) 

Ella and her partner, 33, had been trying for three months.

She added: 'They were both so excited about the idea of becoming grandparents and would often say they couldn't wait to babysit.'

The wedding of her father, a lawyer, and her stepmother, a project manager, took place at a manor house in the Cotswolds in July 22.

Ella led a toast to the bride and groom, and presented her dad with a book of Greek myths and legends he had read to her when she was a child.

She said: 'I have actually got you a little gift. It's a special gift that I hope will always remind you, as it does me, of special times when I was young.

'For those of you who don't know, my dad used to read me Greek myths and legends from this book when I was younger, and he often recited them from memory.

'This was a special father-daughter treat for me when dad used to get home from work, just before my bedtime.

'So dad, I want you to turn to the first page and see why I bought this book for you.

'Hopefully you'll see you have reason to read this book again in the not so distant future.'

Ella led a toast to the bride and groom, and presented her dad with a book of Greek myths and legends he had read to her when she was a child

The mother-of-one said the surprise announcement 'completely made her father's day'  - despite TikTok users being highly critical of her 

The couple were 'so emotional and happy' at the 'special moment' while their guests clapped and cheered.

She said: 'I wanted to announce the news in a special way where they would be surprised and not expect it and also knowing they would be surrounded by their close family and friends to share in the moment of them finding out they were both becoming grandparents.'

She posted it on TikTok and viewers accused her of 'main character syndrome' and 'taking the focus off the happy couple'

Ella said she was 'saddened and shocked' by the backlash she has received online and added: 'It's just a shame my experience has been tainted by some unkind comments on that wedding speech video from people who don't even follow me and don't know me.

'People can be so quick to judge someone they don't know. 

'I'm a big believer in the importance of mental health and wish social media didn't have a toxic side attached to it. The world would be a much happier place if everyone was kind.'

Ella, who gave birth to son George in January 2023, said: 'They said it completely made their day and still talk about it now.

'My dad said he couldn't stop re-watching the video of the speech and announcement for a few days after the wedding.

'They both cried at the time and were so emotional and happy. It was a really special moment as they had no idea I was going to announce that I was pregnant.

'Me and my husband were trying for about three months and we were so excited when we found out.

'Being called 'selfish' online was quite hurtful as my decision to announce my pregnancy was to make my dad and stepmum even more happy on their special day. It wasn't meant to be about me at all.

'I was nervous about doing a speech in the first place, let alone announcing that I was pregnant in front of all those people. 

'I did it purely for my dad and stepmum. There certainly wasn't any other intention.

'I felt saddened and shocked by the criticism online. I would never have done anything like this at say a friends wedding but this was my dad and stepmum's wedding.'