Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas has become a dad once again after welcoming a baby girl with his fiancée.
The soap star, 49, is engaged to cosmetic dentist Jess Bell, 35, and the pair announced on Valentine’s Day that they were expecting their first child together.
Sharing her arrival with the world, the couple revealed their daughter’s adorable name after she was born on July 29.
The new parents said the little one came as a ‘surprise’ to them both, as they were not planning on having children together.
Named Bella Neveah, the newborn is Jamie’s third child, as he already has daughter Polly, 13, from his marriage to Kym Marsh and a son Billy, 18, from another relationship.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, Jamie, who plays Warren Fox, shared: ‘She was a surprise, but a great one. Jess has always said she didn’t want children and I already have two.
‘I’ve always said that if Jess ever changed her mind and wanted a baby, I’d never deprive her of that. And then Bella just happened.’
Jess added: ‘I’m very grateful for the surprise because I would never have chosen to have one myself.
‘I’m so happy and besotted. Bella is the best thing that has ever happened. She was meant to be.’
They also shared that baby Bella has already had a few famous visitors, including Jamie’s sister and former Emmerdale actress, Charley Webb.
He joked that things are ‘a little chaotic’ at the moment, while Jess said she ‘hasn’t really had a minute’ alone.
‘She comes to me for comfort and Jess for food,’ Jamie laughed about their baby.
On bringing Bella home, the doting dad said sweetly: ‘We spent the entire time just looking at her and thinking, “I can’t believe we made you.”
‘At this stage, though, all they do is eat, sleep and poop, so there’s not much else you can do but stare at them [laughs]. It’s such an overwhelming feeling.’
Additional footage from their interview was shared to Instagram, in which Jamie revealed that a ‘really nice, zen’ home birth was planned, as the pair set up a birthing pool in the kitchen.
Alas, plans changed, as Jess was in labour for two days.
Jamie’s eldest daughter had wanted to be present for the special arrival, but she couldn’t once Jess was moved to the hospital.
However, teenager Polly has already been praised for her ‘hands-on’ approach as a big sister, with Jamie saying it makes him ‘so emotional’ seeing the two together.
After confirming Bella’s birth on social media, the two were inundated with messages of congratulations from co-stars.
Nikki Sanderson commented: ‘Amazing! 😍❤️ congratulations ♥️ Bella snuggles are the best 🥰🥰 xxx’
Richard Blackwood wrote: ‘Oiiiiiii! Congratulations to both you! Beautiful! Different gear ❤️❤️’
‘Awwww 🥰❤️ she’s the cutest! Love to you all ❤️’, said Anthony Quinlan.
Jamie’s ex-wife, Kym, also commented: ‘She’s too beautiful and precious! 😍’
He and former Coronation Street star Kym started dating in 2008 but split in 2014.
During their time together, the exes sadly lost a child when Kym went into labour at just 21 weeks because of a condition meaning her body rejected the pregnancy.
Archie was born in 2010 and died minutes later.
Her relationship with Jamie was later rocked by rows and cheating allegations, but the former husband and wife now co-parent on good terms.
He popped the question on a romantic getaway to Mexico, leaving Jess ‘in total shock’ and ‘very emotional’.
Career-wise, Jamie is now gearing up to leave Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks in his role as Warren, having played the character since June 2006.
