Former Coronation Street star and This Morning commentator Nicola Thorp has announced she is expecting her second child with her husband, actor Nikesh Patel.
Instagram announcement
Nicola, who played Nicola Rubinstein, the daughter of villain Pat Phelan, for nearly two years until her exit in 2019, shared the news with her followers on Instagram alongside photos of herself, Nikesh and their first daughter.
She joked: "Sparking pregnancy rumours…", as her comments filled with love and support from friends and former soap co-stars. Sue Cleaver quipped: "Very exciting. I know my goddaughter will make the best big sister."
Celebrity congratulations
Kym Marsh gushed: "Congrats lovely" as Oti Mabuse, Melvin Odoom and Dermot O'Leary also sent their love for the soon-to-be family of four.
As they welcomed their first daughter two years ago, at the time Nicola penned: "Everything they say about birth being a rollercoaster of emotions is true. We're shattered and smitten and everything in between."
Personal message
She added: "Social media is a difficult place right now. If your timeline is anything like ours, it's filled with images of babies and children dying in conflict or living in fear and unimaginable danger."
"It doesn't feel right to share our news on her without also acknowledging how fortunate we are that our baby is safe. If like us you feel helpless, please consider donating to the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency, who are responding to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supporting pregnant women, new mums and their babies. Every child deserves to be born into safety."
Family background
Nicola married Nikesh Patel in summer 2024, having been in a relationship since 2021 and engaged since 2023. They took part in series five of Celebrity Hunted.
Nicola started the run solo because her partner and co-star had COVID and could not break out of Shrewsbury Prison with her. Nikesh later used his bank card at Euston station, which alerted the elite team of hunters. He narrowly avoided capture and met up with Nicola at a hotel in Birmingham.
Activity from a burner phone used to arrange transport gave away Nicola's location, where hunters closed in outside the Clayton Hotel and caught Nicola as she left in a car, making her the first celebrity eliminated.
