Claire Cooper and Emmett J Scanlan have welcomed their first child together into the world.
The ex-‘Hollyoaks’ actress has thanked the NHS team which helped her to give birth to her and Emmett’s baby boy, and the 39-year-old star admitted she still has to "pinch herself" that she is a mum.
She wrote on Instagram: "And just like that I became a mamily
"After 2 trips to the hospital, 40 hrs of labour & an emergency C section our little boy arrived
"So grateful to the entire team who supported us in all our choices at #arroweparkhospital before, during & after – it certainly got complicated in moments but then he’s a wee Scanlan how are we surprised?! the #NHS team led us consistently with care & kindness & made us feel so safe & protected – thank you!!
"Finally a huge thank you to our Doula Jemma @the_hypnobirthing_doula_ who kept us so strong throughout, talked endlessly with me, always giving us the opportunity to discuss all our options & being the support we so needed
"Now I must go pinch myself – we made a tiny human (sic)"
Emmett – who has a daughter, Kayla, from a previous relationship – wrote: "It’s a boy."
The couple met on ‘Hollyoaks’ with Claire starring as Jacqui McQueen from 2006 to 2013, and Emmett appeared as Brendan Brady from 2010 to 2013.
Several of their former co-stars congratulated the pair on the birth of their baby boy.
Jennifer Metcalfe – who portrays Jacqui’s on-screen sister Mercedes McQueen – wrote: "Aw my goodness (sic)"
Jamie Lomas (Warren Fox) posted: "Omg, congratulations. wishing you and your beautiful family all the happiness In the world (sic)"
Nikki Sanderson wrote: "Congratulations. so happy for you both! Xxx (sic)"
Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen) tweeted: "Congratulations both of u xx xxxx (sic)"
Author Harlan Coben posted: "Soooooo happy. Didn’t know I needed this. But I needed this (sic)"