Awww, congratulations Shayne Ward and Sophie Austin!
The soap stars have been given the best early Christmas present ever – their baby daughter has arrived.
Former X Factor winner Shayne, who now stars in Coronation Street, shared the news with his Twitter followers, revealing that they’d chosen the name Willow May Ward.
👶🏻@SophieAustin1 pic.twitter.com/VGHnKXzuZi
— Shayne Ward (@shayneTward) December 3, 2016
Sophie, who appeared in Hollyoaks as Lindsey Butterfield, and Shayne announced they were going to be parents in August this year and have been excitedly looking forward to meeting their baby.
Recently, Shayne said of what was his best Christmas memory: “It’s funny actually because I would say what is about to happen.
“I have had some great Christmases like the year I won the X Factor and I got the 50th Christmas number one with That’s My Goal.
“That was a brilliant present for me because when I heard it announced on Radio 1 as Christmas number one it was pretty special.
“But it is definitely going to be topped by my new arrival.”
Shayne, 31, and Sophie, 32, began dating in March.
Back in August, Shayne has confirmed the couple’s happy news with a post on Twitter:
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
The former singer, who won The X Factor in 2005, made his debut in Corrie as Aidan Connor, the easy on the eye boss of the knicker factory Underworld and cousin of Michelle Connor (played by Kym Marsh), in August last year.
He signed a year’s contract with the ITV soap, which he described as a “dream come true” and went on to win the best newcomer prize at the National Television Awards in January.
Sophie, who left Hollyoaks earlier this year, wed long-term fiance Graeme Rooney in July 2015 but the marriage ended.