Hayley Tamaddon spent "a fortune" on 18 pregnancy tests – because she "couldn’t believe" she was really expecting.
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actress is pregnant with her first child with estate agent partner Adrian, but the 42-year-old star was in such disbelief when her first test came back positive she did another 17 just to be sure.
She said: "I must have taken 18 tests – 10 after my first one and then one each day throughout the week. I spent a fortune as we couldn’t believe it.
"The fact I’m 42 and having a baby is absolutely incredible. For so long I thought I couldn’t have children, it just never happened. Now that it has, everything feels natural and so right. We’re expecting a boy which is amazing and I’ve never been happier."
While Hayley – who played Andrea Beckett on ‘Corrie’ – is delighted about having one baby, she has now set her sights on adding to her brood "in a couple of years".
She said: "I’ve always said I only wanted one and I’m so over the moon, but I might try for a second in a couple of years.
"It’s not on my agenda, but at least I know I can do it and that feels amazing."
Following her surprise pregnancy, Hayley – who also played Del Dingle in ‘Emmerdale’ – believes it is "fate" that she was destined to have a baby with Adrian.
She added to Closer magazine: "When I met Adrian, two years ago, I’d warned him I might not be able to have children.
"Now I truly believe the reason it never happened in the past is because I was meant to be with him all along. I’m a huge believer in fate, and everything has just clicked."
Last month, Hayley accidentally let slip the sex of her baby on live TV by saying she would bring "him" to meet TV presenter Lorraine Kelly once the little one has been born.
Speaking about the future on ‘Lorraine’, Hayley – who got engaged to partner Adrian earlier this month – said: "I think the mummy first and then the bride can wait just a little bit.
"I will bring him, … or her … eek … to meet you, I think I might have just told you what it is."
The full interview with Hayley appears in this week’s Closer magazine.
Hayley Tamaddon bought 18 pregnancy tests in disbelief at result
