Ex Emmerdale stars Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter become parents

Ex ‘Emmerdale’ stars Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter have become parents.

The 31-year-old actress gave birth to her and the 32-year-old actor’s daughter "a couple of weeks ago", and they have labelled the newborn's arrival "absolutely class".

She captioned a black and white Instagram post of her little one: “The best thing that’s ever happened to us arrived a couple of weeks ago, and she’s absolutely class. The little love of our lives! [heart emoji] @jamesbaxterrealtalk. (sic)"

The pair - who played Amy Wyatt and Jake Doland in the ITV1 soap - were sent well wishes by several celebrity pals, including Busted star Matt Willis.

The 40-year-old musician commented on the snap: “Amazing!xx (sic)"

'Emmerdale' star Laura Norton wrote underneath the photograph: “Just over the moon it’s going to be the best looking , funniest child on the planet. love you clever lady (sic)"

Former Dales actress Sammy Winward wrote: “Beyond happy for you.”

The couple - who first got together six months after meeting each other again at the National Television Awards in 2018 - first met as teenagers at an extracurricular drama class, and the brunette beauty “really fancied” James.

Chelsea told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I really fancied him and he did not fancy me at all! He's a year older, and I thought he was really cool, but I also remember thinking, 'Well, no wonder he's not interested because he's just so much older than me!

"I knew exactly who they meant because I remembered this gorgeous boy with the spiky hair that I fancied so much!"