The world’s first ‘test tube baby’ Louise Joy Brown attended the BFI London Film Festival gala of a new flick chronicling her birth.
Joy tells the remarkable true story behind Louise’s birth in 1978 and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible.
The film follows a young nurse, a visionary scientist and an innovative surgeon – played by Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy respectively – as they battle hostility to make the medical breakthrough.
Louise was the first IVF baby born at Oldham General Hospital in 1978 and stepping out for the gala at The Royal Festival Hall, on Tuesday, she looked glamorous in a chiffon grey gown.
She paired the elegant dress, which was complete with silver sequin detailing, with a silver short-sleeved shawl and wore her bright blonde locks down in natural waves.
The world’s first ‘test tube baby’ Louise Joy Brown attended the BFI London Film Festival gala of a new flick chronicling her birth on Tuesday
Stepping out for the gala at The Royal Festival Hall, on Tuesday, Louise looked glamorous in a chiffon grey gown
Louise’s mother Lesley had been unable to conceive naturally because her Fallopian tubes were blocked.
She had been trying for a baby for nine years when she signed up for IVF.
Lesley was among 282 women who tried the experimental procedure, with doctors attempting 457 egg collections but only 167 cycles resulting in fertilisation.
From 12 embryos successfully implanted into women, five became pregnant, and Louise was the one live birth.
Her sister, Natalie, was the 40th IVF baby and the first to have a child of her own.
Since then, another six million children have been born using fertility treatment.
Louise, who married her husband two years after meeting him in 2004, has criticised the ‘devastating’ impact on couples from the NHS rationing IVF and said she is glad fertility treatment is now more accepted.
The mother of two said: ‘Had anything been slightly wrong with me, that, I think, would have been the end of IVF.’
Louise was the first IVF baby born at Oldham General Hospital in 1978 (pictured with her mother and father Lesley and John)
Louise paired the elegant dress, which was complete with silver sequin detailing, with a silver short-sleeved shawl and wore her bright blonde locks down in natural waves
Louise, who married her husband two years after meeting him in 2004, has criticised the ‘devastating’ impact on couples from the NHS rationing IVF and said she is glad fertility treatment is now more accepted
James Norton received a hilarious surprise from his co-star Thomasin McKenzie as they joined a slew of stars at the headline gala screening of their film Joy on Tuesday
Taking to the red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival, the actor was blissfully unaware as Thomasin photobombed his snaps while posing at the premiere
After their amusing run-in, James and Thomasin were joined by co-star Bill Nighy as they posed for snaps on the red carpet
Asked for her advice for other couples, she added: ‘My mum just believed it would happen and it did. Just keep on persevering and if you believe it will happen, then hopefully it will.
James Norton received a hilarious surprise from his co-star Thomasin as they joined a slew of stars at the headline gala screening.
Taking to the red carpet at the BFI London Film Festival, the actor was blissfully unaware as Thomasin photobombed his snaps while posing at the premiere.
James opted for a relaxed mustard yellow suit as he arrived for the event, while Thomasin stunned in an elegant floral strapless gown.
James opted for a relaxed mustard yellow suit as he arrived for the event, having taken a break from filming his role in Steven Knight’s new series House Of Guinness
Thomasin exuded elegance in a colourful printed strapless gown with a flowing train, teamed with a statement berry lip
The New Zealand born-actress’ look boasted an exotic array of colourful flowers
Based on a true story, Joy follows three pioneering British scientists in the ’60s and ’70s and their struggle to develop IVF — against all odds. It will hit Netflix on November, 22, 2024
Joy tells the remarkable true story behind the birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978, the world’s first ‘test-tube baby,’ and the tireless 10-year journey to make it possible
The film is told through the perspective of Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards and surgeon Patrick Steptoe
Thomasin plays Jean Purdy, James stars as Robert, while Bill takes on the role of Patrick
The trio were in high spirits as they struck a slew of playful poses on the red carpet together
Bill put on a dapper display in a sharp black suit as he posed on the red carpet
The New Zealand-born actress showed off her playful side as she leapt into the background of James’ red carpet snaps.
Joining the pair was their co-star Bill Nighy, 74, who cut a dapper figure in a sharp black suit.
The trio were in high spirits as they struck a slew of playful poses on the red carpet together, having joined forces to star in the film, which documents the groundbreaking discovery of in vitro fertilisation.
Based on a true story, Joy follows three pioneering British scientists in the ’60s and ’70s and their struggle to develop IVF — against all odds. It will land on Netflix on November, 22.
Also in attendance was Heidi Range, who showed off her eye-catching sense of style in a bold leopard print co-ord
The former Sugababes star cut a stylish figure in her printed two-piece, teamed with a black Chanel-esque clutch bag
Former Emmerdale star Natalie Anderson stunned in a gorgeous white frilled dress with dramatic ruffled neckline
The former soap star teamed her look with matching silver metallic accessories
Vanessa Feltz cut a chic figure in a long red coat layered over her green and black floral dress
Joined by director Ben Taylor (far left) and screenwriters Rachel Mason and Jack Thorne (far right), the cast were in attendance for the film’s premiere
![The film is told through the perspective of Jean Purdy, [Thomasin McKenzie], a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards, [James Norton], and surgeon Patrick Steptoe, [Bill Nighy] to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in IVF](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/15/23/82592761-13964029-The_film_is_told_through_the_perspective_of_Jean_Purdy_Thomasin_-a-90_1729033117949.jpg "Test Tube Baby Louise Brown Attends London Film Gala 51")
The film is told through the perspective of Jean Purdy, [Thomasin McKenzie], a young nurse and embryologist, who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards, [James Norton], and surgeon Patrick Steptoe, [Bill Nighy] to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering in IVF
Lesley Brown, Louise’s mother, had been unable to conceive naturally because her Fallopian tubes were blocked
Louise’s birth was reported exclusively by the Daily Mail on Jul 25, 1978 with the headline ‘And here she is.. the Lovely Louise’
The film is told through the perspective of Jean Purdy, a young nurse and embryologist who joined forces with scientist Robert Edwards and surgeon Patrick Steptoe to unlock the puzzle of infertility by pioneering IVF.
Thomasin plays Jean Purdy, James stars as Robert, while Bill takes on the role of Patrick.
The UK’s first test tube baby was photographed for only the second time beside the small glass dish in which, as a bundle of fertilised cells, she spent her first days.
