Emmerdale's Verity Rushworth is expecting her first child

Emmerdale actress Verity Rushworth has announced she is expecting her first child with husband Dominic Michael Shaw.

The 30-year-old star took to her Twitter account on Monday to make the pregnancy announcement, only a day after Mother's Day.

The caption said; 'Yey! Dominic Shaw and I are expecting our first baby this summer! So excited!'

She then uploaded a photograph to her Instagram page, with a picture of the couple and a caption 'eating for two' and 'drinking for two' above each of their heads.

The parents-to-be have already been inundated with messages of congratulations from soap fans, including some that said; 'Amazing journey ahead!'

Verity is best known for her role in the ITV soap, playing the character of Donna Windsor between 1998 and 2014.

The news might come as a surprise to fans who were expecting to see Verity touring the UK in a new performance of Breakfast at Tiffany's starting at the beginning of May till June.

Verity was cast as Holly Golightly, also played by Essex-singer Pixie Lott, and has reportedly been forced to step down. But it has not yet been confirmed whether Verity will uphold this commitment.

The Bradford-born star previously said; 'I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to play the dream role of Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I cannot wait to step into the fabulous shoes of such an icon.'

Verity has been married to husband Dominic Michael Shaw since March 2013. They tied the knot at the Priory Church of St Mary in the Yorkshire Dales as this 'holds special memories for Verity and her family'.

Verity's TV career began at the age of 12 in 1997 when she had a small role in Heartbeat. She went on to play Donna Windsor, replacing Sophie Jeffery, who played the part between 1993-1997.