Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick has announced she's pregnant with her second child. The actress, who plays Vanessa Woodfield in the ITV soap, took to social media to reveal the happy news that she and wife Kate Brooks were to become mums again alongside an adorable snap.
Michelle, 46, and Kate, who is a producer on Emmerdale, already share a son named Teddy. Kate gave birth to their first child, who is almost two, in October 2020. She announced their baby boy's safe arrival with a black and white snap on Instagram which showed Michelle beaming in her hospital bed with the little boy snuggled beside her wrapped in a towel and wearing a knitted hat.
A second photo, which was in colour, showed the then-newborn under a rainbow blanket as Michelle gazes down adoringly at him. The actress captioned the post: "On Friday 9th October, this handsome little chap entered the world. Edward 'Teddy' Peter Brooks we are so in love with you #ourlittleTeddyboy.."
But the family of three are expanding. Taking to Instagram, Michelle, who returned to the Dales last year, shared a photo of a large TV screen in their announcing: "COMING THIS WINTER... Baby Brooks #2." Underneath the TV, their son could be seen putting his hands up and grinning in clear excitement.
Michelle also confirmed how far along in her pregnancy she is. "We are super excited about our gorgeous news! 20 weeks today and I can almost rest a cup of tea on my bump! #big brother," she wrote alongside the cute snap.
And Michelle's soap star pals couldn't wait to share their messages. Lisa Riley, who plays Emmerdale's Mandy Dingle, commented: "FINALLY!!! I can tell my Dad and Brother now love to you both, you know how elated we are for you!! So much love." On-screen sister Amy Walsh replied: "Awwwww babe!!!!! It’s so exciting!!!" Amy Wyatt actress Natalie Jamieson said: " Teddy’s face - absolutely gorgeous."
Former Emmerdale star Anna Nightingale, who played Andrea Tate, wrote: "Waaaaaa! Best news ever so much love to you guys x." Former Coronation Street star Charlie Condou shared: "Amazing!! Congratulations xxxx." Gogglebox star Ellie Warner said: "Aww how lovely congratulations," while fellow Channel 4 regulars the Malones added: "Congratulations."
The couple welcomed Teddy via IVF. As part of their journey, the couple chose the donor to be Teddy's biological dad after reading about the characteristics of the candidates, their family life and values. Michelle carried the baby while Kate donated the egg. When Teddy is 18 he can find out who his dad is and we’d massively back him," Michelle recently told OK Magazine. "I’d love to meet him just to say, 'Thank you so much for allowing us to be parents and giving us the most beautiful little boy.'"
Michelle and Kate also previously opened up about the possibility of having another child. "We’d definitely love Teddy to have a brother or sister. And if we’re lucky enough, fantastic – for him as well, not just for us," Michelle said.
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