Parenting

Celebrity fathers and their daughters

There’s a special bond between fathers and daughters and it starts right from the moment they clap eyes on each other.
Sam Mitchell and daughters

There’s a special bond between fathers and daughters and it starts right from the moment they clap eyes on each other. Here five dads reveal the secret to that unique relationship to Susan Horsbrough and Sheree Mutton.

Sam Mitchell, Hawthorn Hawks: The Hawthorn player is a natural with Scarlett and Emmerson, sweeping them onto his shoulders, kissing a sore finger and showing off an extensive nursery rhyme repertoire with all the accompanying actions. Watch him handling these two mini-me monkeys and you can see why he’s known as the most ambidextrous footballer in the AFL. The girls clamber onto Sam’s back and he demonstrates a manoeuvre known in the Mitchell household as the “double koala”. Photo: Damien Bennett

David Speers, political editor, Sky News: As a seasoned anchor of live television, David Speers is accustomed to life’s unexpected moments. The journalist is father to three-year-old Matilda and Olive, who was born earlier this year. “I think there is something really special about the daddy-daughter relationship,” he says. “I just hope when they grow older they’ll be still happy to give Dad a cuddle and a kiss.” Photo: Damien Bennett

Nathan Jones, Co-captain, Melbourne Demons: If Nathan Jones was aiming for a hard-man image, then the shaved head, bulging biceps and high-surface-area tattoos were all excellent moves, but it seems the arrival of daughter Bobbi may well unravel everything. Try looking tough while cradling your newborn baby; it’s not going to happen. The man has already turned into a certified mush-ball, tweeting pictures of “morning cuddles” and “Baby Bobbi fresh from bath time”. Photo: Damien Bennett

Hamish McLachlan, Sports broadcaster, Seven Network: Hamish with his eight-month-old bundle of joy, Indi, an unexpected but very welcome addition to the family. Photo: Damien Bennett

Nathan Lyon, Test cricketer: Nathan is besotted with his gorgeous daughter, Harper, who turns one this month. “She’s already daddy’s little girl and got me wrapped around her finger,” says Nathan. Photo: Damien Bennett

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