Corrie star James Burrows reveals he's secretly welcomed baby with girlfriend Sophie Coates

Coronation Street’s James Burrows has just become a dad, as he welcomed his first baby with girlfriend Sophie Coates.

The actor, who plays Ali Neeson in the popular soap, hasn’t previously officially announced the birth but uploaded a rare post of him and Sophie saying they were enjoying being ‘baby free’.

The post on Instagram read: ‘Out with my beautiful girlfriend @sophie_coates baby free for a few hours while nana and grandad look after her #happyness’

The couple have been together for three years, and fell pregnant very soon after they started trying for a baby. As a result, James halted any wedding plans until the baby was here.

In a recent interview with OK Magazine, the 27-year-old explained why they’re not yet engaged: ‘I’d liked to have got engaged before now.

'I was going to ask Sophie in Australia when we were visiting my family last November but then we found out we were expecting.’

The pregnancy was announced in October, with James sharing a photo of the ultrasound scan to his Instagram page, with a gushing caption.

‘Me and my beautiful girlfriend @sophie_coates are over the moon to announce that we're having a baby. We can not contain our excitement we are so, so happy', he wrote at the time.

James announced the gender of the baby in a post where he wrote: ‘Just getting some more practice in before my little princess arrives. My good friends beautiful little baby girl Maria ❤ pure love x’, alongside a picture of him holding a little girl.

He’ll be continuing his role as fan-favourite Ali Neeson for a little bit longer, until around Christmas time. The actor has confirmed he’d like to move on eventually, saying: ‘I won't stay for years. There are other roles I'd like to do.’

Congratulations to James and Sophie, we can’t wait to see more updates!