Coronation Street’s Alex Bain has become a dad – just one week after turning 17.
The young actor, who plays troubled teen Simon Barlow on the ITV soap, and his girlfriend Levi Selby, 16, welcomed a baby girl named Lydia-Rose on Sunday, with the new mum sharing a photo of their daughter on Facebook.
A source told The Sun: ‘They are absolutely over the moon — it’s the greatest gift they could have hoped for this Christmas.’
New father: Coronation Street’s Alex Bain, 17, has become a dad, welcoming a baby girl named Lydia-Rose on Sunday with his girlfriend Levi Selby, 16
Alex and Levi had been dating since April 2017, despite attending separate schools, and were recently plagued by split rumours.
The new dad has had a busy year, having sat his GCSEs this summer.
Levi confirmed the happy news by changing her Facebook bio to include her daughter’s name and birth date before uploading a close up photo of her sleeping newborn daughter with heart emojis.
Baby girl: Levi confirmed the happy news by changing her Facebook bio to include her daughter’s name and birth date before uploading a close up photo of her sleeping newborn
As friends sent their congratulations in the comments, the new mum replied, telling one pal: ‘I love her.’
MailOnline has contacted a Coronation Street representative for comment.
The news comes several weeks after Alex was forced to deny splitting from his pregnant girlfriend.
The actor hit back at the claims and admitted he couldn’t wait to meet his baby daughter.
Starting a family: The news comes several weeks after Alex was forced to deny splitting from his pregnant girlfriend (pictured)
The soap star took to Facebook at the time and wrote: ‘I’m still with my girlfriend, and can’t wait to have my own little family!’
Meanwhile, an insider told the paper that while the teenage couple went through a rough patch, they are ‘stronger than ever’.
A source said: ‘They’ve been through a bad patch but are now stronger than ever and so excited to meet their baby.
‘It feels even more real now they’ve got a name. They just want to shout it from the rooftops.’
‘Me and my little girl from now on!’: Levi had taken to her Facebook account with a picture of her recent ultrasound alongside the caption, ‘Me and my little girl from now on!! Can’t wait to start my life with her’
Levi had taken to her Facebook account with a picture of her recent ultrasound alongside the caption: ‘Me and my little girl from now on!! Can’t wait to start my life with her.’
Shock news that Alex, who has played Simon Barlow for 10 years after joining Corrie in 2008, was set to become a first time dad with Levi emerged in May.
Levi delightedly announced her pregnancy on social media with a picture of her ultrasound.
The teen revealed that she was due December 8 and received dozens of congratulations comments in reply.
Excitement: Levi delightedly announced her pregnancy on social media with a picture of a recent ultrasound and revealed she was due in December
Screen career: Alex has become a regular on Corrie, since joining the soap a decade ago
A source close to Alex told The Sun at the time: ‘Alex has been telling everyone he’s going to be a father. He isn’t keeping it a secret. It’s hard to tell if he’s happy about it or not but he’s definitely not ashamed of it.’
However, the insider implied it was a distraction from the GCSE Alex was studying for at his school in Lancashire.
‘Some people have been saying how young he is to be having a baby. It’s only happened to one other person at his school in recent years so it is pretty shocking,’ they said.
Levi’s mother Judith Calvert appeared excited to be having a grandchild, making the picture of the ultrasound her Facebook profile picture surrounded by hearts.
Cobbles legend: Alex joined the popular ITV soap in 2008 as Peter Barlow’s son, Simon Barlow, as he was forced to live with his alcoholic father after his mother, Lucy Barlow, died
Soap star: Alex has had a number of hard hitting storylines over the years as Simon physically abused his step mum Leanne and more recently became involved in a gang
The pregnancy also got a thumbs up form her aunt Tracey Adams, who replied ‘congratulations to you both’.
Alex joined the popular ITV soap in 2008 as Peter Barlow’s son, Simon Barlow, as he was forced to live with his alcoholic father after his mother, Lucy Barlow, died.
The troubled character went on to be adopted by his stepmum, Leanne Battersby, but later turned abusive towards her and she was forced to report him to the police.
More recently, Simon got in with the wrong crowd and was discovered to be one of the members of the gang that mugged Audrey Roberts.
The actor’s portrayal of the troubled youngster has seen him win two awards over the years – Best Young Performance at the 2011 The British Soap Awards and Best Young Performance at the 2012 Inside Soap Awards.
Talented: The actor’s portrayal of the troubled youngster has seen him win two awards over the years