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Coronation Street's Shayne Ward and fiancée Sophie Austin announce new baby boy's name

"We are so blessed with this journey that we've been on."

By Joe AndertonPublished: 11 July 2022

Former Coronation Street and The X Factor star Shayne Ward and his fiancée, former Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin, welcomed a baby boy together recently – and now they've revealed the newborn's name.

Speaking to Hello!, the pair announced that their baby is called Reign Thomas Austin Ward.

"There was one name I had heard that I had liked, which was Reign, and Shayne loves anything medieval," Sophie explained.

"As soon as she suggested it, I thought it was nice," Shayne added. "My middle name is Thomas and Austin is after Sophie's father. I thought that Reign Thomas Austin Ward sounded really good and it just fitted him.

shayne ward stands next to fiancee sophie austin as she places her hands on her baby bump

Shirlaine Forrest//Getty Images

"We are so blessed with this journey that we've been on – after we did IVF, this all happened naturally. I wasn't fussed if it was a boy or girl, I just knew I had to have another child. I was over the moon that I was a dad again."

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Humorously, the pair were actually expecting another girl – following their daughter Willow May Ward – right until the baby was actually born.

"He came out and Shayne first clocked it. Then the doctors came over and said: 'We've got some news,'" Sophie added. "I was thinking the worst, that something awful had happened, but they said: 'You've got a baby boy!' So I felt more relief than anything else."

shayne ward attends the inside soap awards

Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage//Getty Images

Shane continued: "For nine months you believe you are having a girl. But a healthy baby is a healthy baby. Your initial reaction is 'Excuse me?!' but more than anything I just wanted the baby to be okay. And he absolutely was."

The couple explained that their daughter Willow is slowly coming around to having a younger brother, and they are letting the children bond in their own time rather than trying to push it.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.