EastEnders star Sid Owen welcomes first child with fiancée

EastEnders star Sid Owen has become a father for the first time, after welcoming a baby with his fiancée Victoria Shores.

Sid shared the news on Sunday (January 23) that Victoria had given birth to their child, as he posted a photo on Instagram of the couple with their arms around each other in hospital. Victoria is dressed in a hospital gown in the picture, while Sid is wearing PPE as he kisses his fiancée on the cheek.

"Been a long a day. But, can I say, I love you Victoria. Thank you for our baby," he captioned the photo.

Instagram/sidowen

The couple received congratulations from a number of Sid's former EastEnders co-stars, including Patsy Palmer, who played Bianca Jackson, the on-screen long-time partner of Sid's character Ricky Butcher.

She wrote: "Congratulations to you all" on the post, while Robbie Jackson star Dean Gaffney commented: "Congrats brother".

Natalie Cassidy, who plays Sonia Fowler, wrote: "Congratulations Sid. So happy for you", while former Sam Mitchell actress Danniella Westbrook commented: "Congratulations daddy and well done Victoria" and fellow new parent Louisa Lytton, who plays Ruby Allen, wrote "Congratulations" alongside some heart emojis.

sid owen, patsy palmer, ricky butcher, bianca jackson, eastenders

BBC

Sid shared the double-whammy news that he and Victoria were engaged and expecting a baby together in September, saying that he was "shocked and over the moon" to find out that he was going to be a dad.

"I never ever dreamt I would have kids. The older you get the more distant that idea seems, you give up hope sometimes, so it is a miracle it has happened," he said at the time.

The couple have not yet revealed their new baby's name or sex, having explained last year that they wanted to keep these details a secret for now.

EastEnders airs on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on BBC One.