Ryan Thomas has addressed the 'fear and loneliness' of bringing a baby into the world while in lockdown.
The former Coronation Street actor, who welcomed a son Roman with his fiancee Lucy Mecklenburgh last month, has shared his thoughts in a moving post on his Instagram page entitled Isolation.
And in a 'lovely' gesture Ryan, 35, has offered to send nappies, baby grows and formula to those struggling.
The Manchester soap star wrote, alongside a black and white photo of himself with baby Roman: "I’ve been thinking a lot about parents who are soon to bring a baby or just had a baby like ourselves into this crazy world we live in right now, something none of us imagined.
"What is suppose to be one of the most special times in your life is full fear and loneliness.
"Everyday is a new challenge with a new born, luckily me and Lucy have each other and work hard as a team to look after our baby in our little bubble.
"It is unsettling not having support and reassurance from loved ones and the knowledge of normal medical care available if needed and it makes you feel very vulnerable."
He told fellow parents: "To all parents out there you need to know you are doing such an amazing job.
"It’s only small gesture but if you need anything nappies, baby grows, formula things maybe I can send in the post that we have or I can order for you online please dm me your address and what you need and I’ll try and do as much I can to help as know it must be a difficult time right now.
"Stay strong and positive."
Followers responded with praise and thanks for the gesture.
"You are doing an amazing job as a team!
"What a wonderful gesture for families! Due in four weeks time... a very worried momma and daddy but we will be strong for our baby boy!" said one.
"What a lovely idea," said another.
"I’m currently being induced, all alone at hospital as my husband can’t be with me until I’m in actual proper labour. "So hard. Been in since 1am this morning!"
And another wrote: "What a lovely gesture! I’m a nurse and I have to leave my one year old during all of this. "Everyone should be cherishing this time together they really don’t know how lucky they are."
Ryan, who played Jason Grimshaw in Corrie, recently shared a heartbreaking photo of his 11-year-old daughter meeting her newborn brother through FaceTime because of guidelines over the COVID-19 outbreak.
And he said he's finding it tough being away from Scarlett, his daughter with his ex Tina O'Brien.
Sharing a snap of the moment the siblings met via technology, he said it was 'sad' that this is how Scarlett met her baby brother for the first time, but he urged that we all need to take isolation and distancing seriously amid the coronavirus pandemic.
