Soap stars Shayne Ward and Sophie Austin have welcomed their first child together, a baby girl.
The Coronation Street actor and former Hollyoaks actress shared the happy news on Twitter and Instagram on Saturday (December 3).
Ward tweeted: "Proud to share our incredible news. Me and Sophie had a beautiful baby girl.
"We are completed besotted and in love with the deepest of hearts. Our world. Willow May Ward."
👶🏻@SophieAustin1 pic.twitter.com/VGHnKXzuZi
— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) December 3, 2016
Austin later Instagrammed a photo of a baby's tiny hand clasping a finger, along with the simple caption: "Complete".
The couple first announced that they were expecting a baby together in August, after reports of Austin's pregnancy had been reported in the tabloids.
After much speculation I'm over joyed to announce that @sophieaustin1 and I are expecting our first child.#blessed
— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) August 1, 2016
Earlier this week, Ward told New magazine that he was excited about becoming a father, saying it was going to be "the most exciting Christmas ever".
He added: "I'm used to babies – I'm from a big Irish family and an uncle 13 times over. I've changed many, many nappies in my time but changing my own baby's nappy will be different – I won't mind that!"
The actor, who plays Aidan Connor on Coronation Street, will be taking paternity leave from the soap which will coincide with its Christmas break.
The X Factor winner and Austin started dating in March, several months after Austin split from her husband Graeme Rooney.
Austin and fellow actor Rooney wed in July 2015, but announced their separation at the end of the year.
She said in a statement at the time: "Very sadly, my husband and I separated a little while ago.
"The breakdown of any long-term relationship is always difficult and this is no exception."
