Manchester's Michelle Keegan gives birth to her first child with husband Mark Wright

37-year-old Michelle, best known for ITV's Coronation Street, and Mark, who rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex (Towie) began dating in 2012 and married in May 2015 .

The Stockport born actress and Mark, 38, who live together in Essex, annoucned they were expecting in December and last night they revealed they were now parents to a newborn.

In a post shared to Instagram, the couple revealed to their combined 9.4 million followers what their child's birth name and when their daughter was born.

They wrote on Instagram: "Together we have a new love to share... Our little girl (love heart emoji). Palma Elizabeth Wright 06.03.25."

The couple also shared a black and white photo of their daughter being held.

Underneath the post, various stars congratulated the pair, including fellow soap stars Nikki Sanderson, Hayley Tamaddon and Denise Welch.

Singer Olly Murrs also wrote: “ So happy for you guys!! Beautiful time for you all xx can’t wait to meet her.”

The Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack Atack wrote: "This is wonderful news. Love the name too. Congrats guys."

YouTuber Joe Wicks wrote that he was "crying", adding: "I know how much you've wanted to be a dad and you'll be an amazing dad too. This is the most beautiful thing to see. So happy for you both."

"Best news ever congratulations darling to both of you," Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden commented.

The wonderful news comes just a month after the couple reportedly hid from burglars in a locked bedroom during a break-in at their mansion.

Essex Police said it was investigating a report of four suspects, who had forced entry and searched the address before fleeing.

Michelle began her acting career in TV playing Tina McIntyre in ITV soap opera Coronation Street, joining the show in 2008, before going on to star in hit army drama Our Girl as corporal Georgie Lane and in the comedy-drama Brassic as Erin Croft .

Mark was a semi-professional footballer who spent time at the youth academies of West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham before he starred in Towie.

He gained further recognition after finishing as a runner-up on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2011, and as a finalist on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.

Mark is currently a presenter on Heart FM.