Coronation Street star Calum Lill has revealed he and his fiancée, Roberta McClarron, are expecting their first child together, with the baby due to arrive in April 2026.
The 30-year-old actor, best known for portraying villain Joel Deering on the ITV soap, took to Instagram to share the happy news with fans.
In a playful festive photograph, Ms McClarron's baby bump was decorated to resemble a snowman, complete with Mr Lill holding a carrot against her belly while she displayed a scan image.
"New character dropping April '26," the actor wrote alongside the announcement, using a creative nod to his television career to reveal the couple's exciting news.
ITV Emmerdale's Calum Lill played Joel Deering on the soap
|ITV
The post included a further three photographs, showing the happy couple striking a number of poses before sharing a laugh as they attempt to regain composure.
Inevitably, it didn't take long for the actor's followers and some familiar faces to soap fans to react to the news.
Fellow star on the Cobbles, Sydney Martin, who plays Betsy Swain on the ITV soap, commented: "Oh my goodness... congratulations xx."
"Yay! Congratulations," Emrhys Cooper penned. He starred in the soap as cult leader Rowan Cunliffe. (sic)
Fellow soap stars Vicky Myers, Paddy Bever, and Claire Sweeney were also among the well-wishers.
Mr Lill and Ms McClarron have been in a relationship since 2021 and got engaged the following year.
When announcing their engagement, the actor joked: "About time I made an honest woman of her."
The proposal itself required some careful planning, with Mr Lill reportedly stashing the engagement ring in his Coronation Street dressing room while he waited for the perfect moment to pop the question.
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ITV Emmerdale's Calum Lill was killed off the soap last year
|ITV
Ms McClarron, who works in public relations and marketing, has been a steadfast supporter throughout Mr Lill's acting career, with the actor previously paying tribute to her on social media for standing by him during the demanding filming schedule of the ITV soap.
Mr Lill's time on Coronation Street saw him take on one of the programme's most significant storylines in recent years.
ITV Emmerdale's Calum Lill
|PA
His character Joel Deering, a solicitor, was initially presented as a romantic interest for Dee Dee Bailey before being unmasked as a dangerous villain.
The dramatic plot culminated in the revelation that Joel had brutally attacked Lauren Bolton, played by Cait Fitton, with a chair leg after grooming and abusing her.
ITV Emmerdale's Calum Lill is expecting his first child
|PA
To prepare for the dark role, Mr Lill studied police interviews with serial killer Ted Bundy and consulted with the Maggie Oliver Foundation, a charity supporting survivors of sexual exploitation.
The character was killed off in September 2024 as part of a whodunit mystery storyline.