Baby on the way for soap star Kym Marsh

The couple are said to be "delighted" with the pregnancy, which comes less than two years after the death of their premature son Archie.

The actress, 34, is understood to have had her 12-week scan earlier this week.

A spokeswoman for the soap said: "Kym Marsh and Jamie Lomas are delighted to announce they are expecting a baby together.

"They are very appreciative of the love and support that has come their way in the last 12 months, but they won't be saying anything further about Kym's pregnancy for the moment.

"They have confirmed this news now as both Kym and Jamie feel they'd like to be able to share their happiness with family, friends and colleagues."

Archie, who was 18 weeks premature, died moments after he was born in February last year.

Last October, Marsh and Lomas announced they had split up, but they rekindled their relationship a month later and got engaged when the Hollyoaks actor, 30, proposed on Christmas Day.

Marsh has two other children – David, 15, and Emily, 13 – from a previous relationship with Dave Cunliffe.