VIDEO: Newlyweds find unique way to deliver news of their newest arrival to family

Newlyweds Marlena and Rob Jones, who tied the knot a year ago, welcomed their baby son Alexander on July 14.

But the couple, who are huge fans of the Australian soap opera, were blown away when they received a video message from the soap’s Dr Karl Kennedy, played by actor Alan Fletcher, shortly after the arrival of their newborn.

Marlena, 28, said: “We were thrilled – it was so kind of Alan to do this and it really brought a smile to all our friends and family as they know we love Neighbours so much.”

Since the birth, baby Alexander watched his first episode of Neighbours when he was only a few days old, wearing a baby-grow showing how much he loves Dr Karl.

Rob, 39, who works in web development, is a life-long Neighbours fan and has never missed an episode since it began in 1985.

In 2003, he spent a year in Australia and finally got to live his dream by visiting Ramsay Street.

He got to meet a number of the cast including Toadie but sadly not Dr Karl Kennedy, his favourite character.

But his dedication continued and he would write to his favourite cast member who eventually became a Facebook friend.

When Rob met his wife-to-be Marlena in 2010, he was delighted to discover she was his perfect Sheila as she was also a huge fan of the soap.

Romantic Rob surprised Marlena in February 2014 by booking an 85 day trip around the world, including Australia.

At the time Rob had started a fundraiser for a friend’s little boy, Joseph Bowen, who had a rare form of leukaemia.

He set himself the challenge of visiting all 700 of his Facebook friends including the Neighbours actor.

Rob added: “Meeting Dr Kennedy in real life was one of the best moments of our trip, apart from surprising Marlena by asking her to marry me of course.

"She’s my world and I knew for sure while we were in the homeland of Neighbours that this was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my days with.”

It was Marlena’s turn to surprise Rob as only a few months after their wedding in her native Poland she told him they were going to be having a baby.

The couple say they were overwhelmed that Alan was able to help them deliver their exciting news.

But Alan said ‘it has been lovely being a small part of Alexander’s introduction to the world’.

He added: “The enthusiasm and loyalty of Neighbour’s fans like Rob and Marlena, and now Alexander, is the reason our show has been so successful.

“Being a small part of Alexander’s arrival is a much appreciated opportunity to say thanks for the support.”

For more information about Rob's fundraising efforts visit facebook.com/700friendschallenge/?fref=ts.