Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter gives birth after secret pregnancy
Actress Kirsty-Leigh Porter, best known as fan-favourite Leela Lomax in Hollyoaks, has announced that she has given birth on Instagram following a secret pregnancy
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Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter has announced she has given birth to a baby.
The news comes after Kirsty-Leigh, 31, chose to keep the pregnancy a secret following the tragic stillbirth of her daughter Penny-Leigh in 2018.
The actress, best known for her role as fan-favourite Leela Lomax in the Channel 4 soap, shared a black-and-white image of her partner Paul Barber carrying their newborn child in a car seat.
Kirsty-Leigh's post was accompanied by a caption of emojis of a rainbow, a baby, sparkles, and prayer-hands.
The actress' followers flooded her post in the comments section with sweet messages of congratulations.
One follower wrote: "Congratulations on your little rainbow, penny-leigh will always be watching over you".
Another commented: "Oh how amazing! Massive congratulations to you. I gave birth to my Rainbow baby 6 months ago!"
Meanwhile, a different Instagram user penned: "How emotional did it feel to see this! Congratulations such amazing positive news so happy for you both. [rainbow emoji]".
Elsewhere, another follower penned: "Congratulations @kirststarburst im so happy for you. Like you I lost my first baby girl but I’m now due in 2 weeks with our [rainbow emoji, baby emoji] girl. Xx".
Finally, one Instagram user concluded: "I genuinely called this last month! I said to my sister, I’m sure leela has left to have a baby! Congratulations - your beautiful rainbow baby".
The actress previously portrayed the villainous Roz Fielding from 2010 to 2012 in ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
Addressing her heartbreaking loss of Penny-Leigh in 2018, Kirsty-Leigh posted in early 2019: "I am posting this for Penny-Leigh, I am posting this for every single woman and man who have messaged me with their stories of their sleeping angels."
Going on to write directly to her daughter, writing: "My heart physically aches, it is in a million pieces and whilst they try to find their way back together it’s no use as my heart will never be whole again.
"Nothing makes sense anymore because I can’t hold you in my arms. I don’t get to see your first smile, your first wriggle, I don’t get to dress you, change your nappy, feed you...
"But I will always be your mummy. I will always do you proud."
She also addressed her feeling of guilt that consumed her following the tragic loss.
Kirsty-Leigh added: "My mind can’t comprehend how I have given birth yet my baby is not here with me. How is that ok?...
"With the overwhelming grief comes GUILT. If I’m not a heap on the bathroom floor hiding myself away crying, I am wondering aimlessly around the room with GUILT."
The star had confirmed the loss in December 2018 with a heartbreaking message.
She penned: "Our beautiful baby girl, Penny-Leigh Barber was born sleeping on the 21st of December 2018 at 6.49am, 29 weeks & 3 days young.
"My heart has never felt pain like it. Sleep sweetly our angel. We will always love you. Love your Mummy & Daddy.
"My Everything."
Hollyoaks continues on weekdays at 6pm on Channel 4 with a first look of the following episode on E4 at 6.30pm.MirrorCeleb
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