Vin Diesel has named his newborn daughter in honour of his late friend and co-star Paul Walker − and says his participation in her birth was down to advice the Fast and Furious actor once gave him.

“I might never have gone into a delivery room if it wasn’t for Paul,” Diesel said. Earlier, the actor announced on the Today show that his daughter Pauline was named after Walker, 40, who died in a car crash in 2013 while on a break from shooting the seventh instalment of the Fast and Furious franchise.

Seven years ago, before Diesel, 47, and long-time partner Paloma Jimenez welcomed daughter Hania, 6, into the world,Walker, also a father, offered some wisdom.

“Paul [told] me to go into the delivery room and own it and be present and don’t shy away from it and cut the umbilical cord. I didn’t even know what an umbilical cord was!” said Diesel.

Jimenez and Diesel also have a son, Vincent, 4.

Diesel turned quiet and reflective while discussing Walker, whom he has described as his brother, at a Furious 7 press event at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.

Furious 7, out on April 3, is dedicated to Walker.