Just in time for Christmas, Coronation Street star Julia Goulding has gone on maternity leave to give birth to her first child.
The Shona Ramsey actress and her husband Ben Silver announced her pregnancy back in May, writing: "Ben and I are delighted to announce that we are expecting our first baby at the end of this year!
"We are absolutely overjoyed and can't wait to meet our little one!"
Related: 13 huge Coronation Street spoilers for next week
Now, co-star Jane Danson (who plays Leanne Battersby) has marked the beginning of her friend's maternity leave with an adorable photo of them together on Instagram.
"Happy maternity leave beautiful @julia_goulding," she wrote. "Im so excited for you. Enjoy this special time. Happiest days."
What to Read Next
Related: Coronation Street legend Bill Roache opens up over his long-term future with the soap
Julia and Ben previously talked about wanting an unusual name for their baby, with Ben wanting to go with Han (after Star Wars' famous smuggler and scoundrel) but she vetoed both that and the name Wolfgang.
Earlier in the year, Julia said that she had signed a one-year extension on the soap, meaning that Shona will be back for a good while after Julia has finished with her maternity.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7:30pm and 8:30pm.
Digital Spy is launching a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Read more news, spoilers and gossip on our Coronation Street homepage
Digital Spy Soap Scoop video – hit play below for all the latest Coronation Street spoilers, as Daniel faces a devastating week, and Paul breaks his silence over Kel.
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
![The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634215-51d4CaKIrCL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]")
![The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634418-51we2BNTW1yL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]")
ITV The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
