Soap star Verity Rushworth announces the birth of her baby girl

Exciting news for former Emmerdale star Verity Rushworth and husband Dominic Shaw, as the pair have become first-time parents!

Proud new mum Verity announced the arrival of her baby girl on Twitter, posting: 'She's here!!!!!💕💕💕🎉 Our little bundle of sunshine arrived at 02:20 yesterday morning weighing 7 pounds 11 and a half. She's amazing!! 💕💕💕💕💕'

Verity, 30, and her theatre director partner Dominic, opted for a popular baby name for their newborn, which the actress revealed in a later tweet while thanking her fans for their messages of support: 'Thank you so much for your well wishes!! Miss Amelie Iris Shaw is showing strong signs of sass and fabulousness already! Xxx 💕💕'

Fans have been quick to congratulate the new mum on her exciting news, posting well wishes for the star. One Twitter user wrote: 'Congratulations on the birth of Amelie Iris. So thrilled for you xx' while another added: 'Congratulations to all of you, a new family! Rest up when she does, but enjoy every minute...it's worth it! 💐🎀💖'

Verity first revealed she was expecting back in March, and again chose Twitter to make the exciting announcement. Posting a picture of herself with Dominic, she wrote: 'Yey! 🎉 @dominicmshaw and I are expecting our first baby this summer! So excited!! ❤️'

It seems the pregnancy may have come as something of a surprise for the pair, as Verity had just signed up to tour the UK in the musical Breakfast At Tiffany's - a role she's since had to step down from.

The news of a baby girl won't come as too much of a shock to those who watched Verity's appearance on Loose Women in June, after panellist Linda Robson, quite accurately it turns out, predicted her baby's gender.

Holding a ring over her bump, the Birds Of A Feather actress said: 'It's going full circle, it's going round and round', which indicates a daughter according an old wives' tale for determining the sex of your baby.

Congratulations to the new family!