'Eastenders' star Michael Greco prays for baby son ahead of life-saving operation

Former Eastenders star Michael Greco has shared an updated of his critically ill baby boy ahead of a new, life-changing operation.

Gianluca Greco was born six weeks prematurely on July 1, weighing just 4.47lbs, and since then has been in and out of intensive care needing a series of operations.

The tot was born with gastroschisis, an abdominal condition where the baby's intestines, and sometimes stomach and liver, are developed outside of the baby's body.

Read more: Next week on 'EastEnders': Chelsea uncovers Tina's murder?

As a result, Gianluca has been looked after by the team at Great Ormond Street Hospital as he receives around-the-clock care.

Greco — known for playing Beppe DiMarco on the BBC soap — announced the baby’s arrival on 2 July, revealing that at just one day old he had already had to undergo an operation to place his bowel where it was meant to be.

Three weeks later, ahead of the new, and hopefully final, operation, Greco shared a series of photos of his little boy.

Read more: Michael Greco slams 'Hollyoaks' over AJ and Curtis Pritchard casting

Joking that it looked like he was singing opera classic Nessun Dorma as he yawns in the picture, he wrote: “My beautiful and brave son, Gianluca, hopefully has one more critical operation before he can start to try and live a normal, healthy life.

“I’m not the most religious of people but I am praying with all my heart that my absolute world will pull through like the true fighter he has already shown to be. I love you GG.”

Gianluca was able to leave intensive care ten days ago as his recovery looked positive, with the proud dad sharing updates throughout his baby’s tough time.

He is Greco’s first child, with the soap star welcoming him alongside girlfriend Helen.

"My boy. My beautiful boy is out of ICU and fighting to live a normal life," the 50-year-old told his followers in another emotional post.

"He has become stronger and stronger, day by day, and has given himself an incredible chance of a normal life that every newborn baby deserves.

"He’s a true Greco and has made my heart completely full and bursting of love. Much, much more than I ever thought was possible. Daddy is still a ‘tad’ emotional. I love you Gianluca."

Watch: Michael Greco slams Hollyoaks for casting AJ and Curtis Pritchard