Copyright dailystar
A mum who is an EastEnders superfan named her baby after Peggy Mitchell – and even dresses her tot in clothing inspired by the iconic soap . Sophie Marson-Riding, 24, and her partner Paul Evans, 31, welcomed daughter Peggy-Jo Evans on June 27, having already settled on the distinctive moniker well in advance. Growing up watching the BBC soap alongside her mum Louise, 49, and grandmother Margaret, 79, Sophie believes four-month-old Peggy is destined to become EastEnders ' "number one fan" – and is already glued to the programme whilst nestled in her mother's arms. While certain relatives and friends were "a bit dubious" about the old-fashioned choice, others "weren't shocked" given Sophie's well-known passion for the long-running drama. She reveals that online users are "loving it" and have praised "what a lovely name it is." Sophie, who works as a carer in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, explained: "It was last October we found out about Peggy and we were really excited from the get go. "I knew her name would be Peggy before that. I wasn't pregnant at this point and we were planning on getting a puppy. "We were just talking about dog names and I loved the idea of Dot Cotton for a puppy. We got onto the conversation of kids names and because I love Eastenders I was throwing out Eastenders names. "Peggy just stuck and I absolutely love it. When we found out we were having a little girl I was even more excited. "I'm obsessed with Phil Mitchell too so it made sense. Paul's mum passed away last year just before Christmas and she was called Joanne so we thought we would put a bit of her in it too. "Online quite a few people having been giving me their stories as well. One woman said she named her daughter after Mimi Maguire on Shameless". During her pregnancy, Sophie commissioned bespoke hair accessories featuring Peggy Mitchell's iconic face, which her little one now sports alongside baby outfits emblazoned with the legendary catchphrase 'Get out of my pub'. "I always have a little Peggy Mitchell bow on her," Sophie reveals. I messaged the seller and said I know it's going to sound strange but can you put Peggy Mitchell on a bow. "She thought I was joking." Sophie has been devoted to the BBC drama since childhood, watching alongside her mum Louise, 49, and grandmother Margaret, 79, with baby Peggy now joining the viewing sessions during visits to her great-grandmother. She explained: "She watches it now. Her little arms and legs start kicking. "She'll sit with her eyes on the television and she's glued – she's going to be their number one fan". Dreaming of recognition from the show's stars online, Sophie admits an acknowledgement from them "would be like my life complete". Partner Paul revealed: "At first I used to have a joke with Sophie because she loves Peggy and Eastenders in general. Now I couldn't picture her being called anything other then Peggy I absolutely love it - plus it made the love of my life happy. "I love her custom Eastenders bows and outfits, we're going to keep getting her more Eastenders themed stuff. "[It] would make Sophie's life one of the cast reaching out or sharing the story".
