Maddy Hill, who plays Nancy Carter in EastEnders, has confirmed she is expecting a baby girl in real life. The actress shared the news during a 'Day in the Life' video on the soap's Instagram account, filmed in the makeup room with co-star Kellie Bright.
In the clip, Bright asked how Hill's bump was doing, and Hill replied: 'Lively! She liked her lunch.' The use of 'she' has led to the conclusion that Hill is carrying a daughter.
Return to Walford with a twist
Hill's return to the soap comes as her character Nancy Carter reappears in Walford after a four-year absence. Nancy is revealed to be pregnant, acting as a surrogate for her brother Lee Carter (Danny Hatchard) and his unseen girlfriend Jess. She sought legal advice from her brother Johnny (Charlie Suff) and asked him to keep her visit a secret from their mother Linda (Kellie Bright).
However, after experiencing pains, Nancy was sent to hospital in a taxi, which was spotted by Linda's secret boyfriend Max Branning (Jake Wood). Linda and her mother Elaine Peacock (Harriet Thorpe) soon discovered Nancy's pregnancy, and Lee later confirmed he was the father, with the surrogacy explanation clearing up any confusion.
Joyful return to the set
Hill also spoke about her positive experience being back on set, saying: 'I'm loving being back. Maybe there's something joyful about playing a pregnancy, even when it's a complicated pregnancy. But yeah, it's the most joyful iteration of Nancy that I've had since our first introduction.'
Bright noted the 'full circle' nature of the situation, reflecting: 'Maddy's watched me go through pregnancy. I was a year older than Maddy is now when I started this show playing her mum! Now I'm going to be a grandma!'
Hill added: 'It's been just over four years since I've been here last and I'm having the best time being back. I've had I think some of the funniest times I've ever had at EastEnders in these first couple of weeks back. So keep watching and tuning in to see what happens to Nancy next.'
EastEnders boss Ben Wadey previously said of the returns: 'Linda Carter is one of the all time great EastEnders characters, so losing her is such a big moment to the show and we wanted to make sure we see Linda at her best in her final few months. We will be welcoming Lee and Nancy back for a period in a story where I guarantee your jaws will drop when you see it. We are absolutely thrilled to have Maddy and Danny back in Walford, bringing two much-loved pieces of the Carter family back together. And whilst Linda is delighted to have her children all together again, she's got a lot to catch up on…'
