Coronation Street star Samia Smith was said to be 'delighted' after she gave birth to a baby girl.
The 27-year-old actress, who plays Maria Connor in the soap, welcomed daughter Freya with her husband, property developer Matt Smith.
A spokeswoman for the ITV1 soap said the couple were "delighted" with the arrival of their first child.
Eccles-born Samia announced her pregnancy just days after her father Joseph Ghadie died of cancer in April.
Viewers have recently seen the actress hiding her baby bump with cushions and baggy clothes on screen.
In a brief statement, a soap spokeswoman said: "Samia Smith has today given birth to a baby girl named Freya, 7lbs 2oz. Mum and baby doing well. Samia and husband Matt are delighted. Everyone at Corrie is thrilled at the latest arrival to the 'Corrie family'."
In the soap, Maria is unaware that her fiance Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) is responsible for the death of her husband Liam.
Tonight Tony's wife Carla Gordon (Alison King), one of the only people to know the truth about the murder, makes her explosive return to screens.
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Showing comments 1 to 11 and replies | View All
markyboy, manchester (19/10/2009 at 17:14)
Drew-Peacock, Our House (19/10/2009 at 17:50)
jsac1984 (19/10/2009 at 18:44)
-------------------------- -------------------------, ------------------------------------- (19/10/2009 at 20:00)
Careless Whisper (19/10/2009 at 20:16)
Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (20/10/2009 at 08:18)
Tezza, Tyldesley (20/10/2009 at 09:23)
The Devil's Advocate, M11 born and bred, East Stand Lower 104 (20/10/2009 at 10:40)
annsel (20/10/2009 at 13:44)
Congratulations Samia and Matt and welcome to the world baby Freya
Manchester Forever, Manchester (20/10/2009 at 13:53)
jenny lee (20/10/2009 at 21:07)
And what a pretty name they've chosen.