Gemma Atkinson has given birth to a daughter with Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez.
She said the baby, who arrived on July 4 at the Royal Bolton Hospital in Greater Manchester, “certainly made an entrance”.
Hinting that the birth had not gone smoothly, Gemma added that the child had given the pair “quite a fright at times” and thanked the nurses and doctors who delivered the newborn.
Announcing the news on Instagram, she said: “And just like that, we’re a three! Our beautiful baby daughter arrived on Thursday 4th July and myself and Gorks couldn’t be happier.
“Shes incredible and she certainly made an entrance, giving us all quite a fright at times! Little Miss independent already! Thank you SO much to the nurses & doctors at The Royal Bolton Hospital who did the most incredible job taking care of myself and my baby.
“You’re all so wonderful and I’m so grateful to have had you all with me and to have been under your care these past 4 days.
“Back home now for family time and to introduce little lady to her big brothers [dogs] Norman & Ollie…. Let the next life chapter begin @gorka_marquez”
Gemma and Gorka met on Strictly in 2017, when the former soap star was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec and Gorka was dancing with Alexandra Burke.
In a seperate Instagram post, the 28-year-old dancer said seeing Gemma give birth had made him love and respect her even more.
He wrote: “Our beautiful baby daughter arrived on Thursday 4th July and myself and Gem couldn’t be happier.
“She’s incredible and she certainly made an entrance, giving us all quite a fright at times. @glouiseatkinson my absolute HERO! After seeing you go through all you did to bring our little girl to life has made me love and respect you even more.
“What a trooper you are. I couldn’t be more proud of you!! Thank you SO much to the nurses & doctors at The Royal Bolton Hospital who did the most incredible job taking care of gem and our baby. Back home now for family time.”
A slew of stars rushed to congratulate the pair, including a number of Strictly professionals.
Australian professional Dianne Buswell was one of the first to comment, saying: “The most adorable family congratulations guys.”
Welsh professional Amy Dowden added that the baby’s arrival is “the best news EVER!!!!!” and Oti Mabuse, who also appeared as a captain on BBC One’s The Greatest Dancer, said the pair would be “amazing parents”.