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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Katie Fitzpatrick

Coronation Street star announces birth of first child and reveals their gender and gorgeous name

Coronation Street star Rebecca Ryan received a raft of messages from her co-stars as she announced the arrival of her first child. Rebecca, who played bunny boiler Lydia Chambers in thrilling scenes in the ITV soap, shared an adorable picture as she revealed on Tuesday (May 2) that she had welcomed a baby girl, named Aurora.

The 31-year-old announced in December that she was expecting a baby with her husband Dan Acraman. "Welcome to the world my beautiful baby girl Aurora," she wrote next to a photo of her tiny bundle of joy lying on snuggly blankets.

Mollie Gallagher, who plays Nina Lucas in Corrie, told her: "Massive congratulations." And Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Platt, messaged: "Huge Congratulations, she’s beautiful."

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Harriet Bibby, who plays Summer Spellman, wrote: "Congratulations Rebecca! She is absolutely beautiful!!" Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy Barlow, gasped: "Omg. the cutest. so so happy for you." And her brother Jack James Ryan, who played Jacob Hay in the soap, said: "My new best mate."

Mandyskinner21 commented: "Aww she's gorgeous what a lovely name aswell." And bkdayzz exclaimed: "Omgosh little doll!!! Beautiful!! Congrats xxx"

On Friday April 21 Rebecca, who shot to fame playing Debbie Gallagher in the gritty Manchester drama Shameless, shared stunning photos of her growing bump as she waited for her daughter's arrival into the world.

She typed lovingly: "Three weeks till we meet you little one. I am so in love with you already! Hurry up baby, I can't wait to see your little face and spend the rest of my life protecting and loving you with all my heart."

Rebecca also played pupil Vicki MacDonald in the BBC One school drama series Waterloo Road, based in Rochdale, from 2009 to 2011. Her twisted character Lydia was part of an explosive drama in Corrie, embroiled in a stalker storyline with Adam Barlow and his wife Sarah. The gripping story, which kicked off at the end of 2021, led to a horror accident that left solicitor Adam at risk of losing his sight.

Lydia started stalking Adam after she befriended his wife Sarah and plotted to wreck their marriage. It turned out that she was acting in revenge for how badly the womaniser treated her when they dated in their university days.

In a terrifying showdown at a shopping centre in March last year, Lydia gave Adam a hard shove during a confrontation. Adam was knocked unconscious after plunging over the railings.

Doctors told his family he had suffered a bleed behind the eye and needed surgery. And as he came round from surgery they were relieved to be told that Sarah had come to visit him after threatening divorce.

But his visitor turned out to be a repentant Lydia, who was there to apologise for her behaviour. After she was caught at Adam's bedside by his estranged wife, Lydia confessed to tormenting Adam, trashing her own flat and setting it up to look like they had been having an affair. And Sarah called the police.

Rebecca as stalker Lydia (ITV)

Then came a twist as Adam left his hospital bed and headed to the police station to make sure Lydia was freed. And after putting his legal skills to good use, he and Lydia called a truce.

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