Grieving Corrie star is pregnant

Coronation Street actress Samia Smith, who plays Maria Connor in the ITV1 soap, has announced she is pregnant, just weeks after losing her father.

The 26-year-old, who is 13 weeks pregnant by her husband Matt, is expected to give birth in October.

"I am so pleased that we were able to tell my dad about the baby before he died," said the Manchester actress.

Coincidentally, her on-screen character is expecting a child in July. She lost a baby as part of a plot-line in 2008.

"I have been pregnant on screen for the best part of the past two years and as soon as I get rid of the fake baby bump, I will have a real one," she said in a statement.

Smith's child will be the 10th Coronation Street baby to arrive in just 18 months.

Julia Haworth (Clare Peacock), Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland), Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw), Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), Wanda Opalinska (Wiki Dankowska), Alison King (Carla Connor) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) have recently welcomed newborns to their families.

Meanwhile, Simon Gregson (Steve MacDonald) and Graeme Hawley (John Stape) are looking forward to the births of their babies later this year.