Ben Cousins, Maylea Tinecheff welcome baby boy named Bobby Ernest

Ben Cousins has become a father for the first time.

The 33-year-old former Australian sports star, whose partner is 39-year-old Maylea Tinecheff, said that he almost "fainted" as he welcomed Bobby Ernest into the world weighing 3.6kg two weeks ago.

Cousins told New Idea magazine: "Not to take anything away from my footy, but there is just no comparison. This is it - this is what it's all about. I still can't believe we're so blessed to have such a perfect little boy.

"I always knew it was going to be life-changing, but the love you feel, it's so innocent and infinite, and completely unconditional."

Former Aussie rules footballer Cousins admitted that he and Tinecheff were convinced that they were having a daughter and had even chosen a name. As a result, he said that he "nearly fainted" when he was told it was a boy.

He also revealed that he would "love to be married" and have more children.

Shortly after Cousins and Tinecheff announced her pregnancy, he said that he was "overwhelmed" by the prospect of fatherhood.

Cousins admitted that he had always been a bit "reluctant" to grow up and said that a baby would be a "positive" step in his life, especially after receiving treatment for a drug addiction.

A hard-hitting documentary about Cousins's recovery from his addictions did extremely well in TV ratings. Broadcast last year, the programme dealt with his 2007 drug arrest, his suspension from AFL and included footage of him smoking drugs.

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