Former Coronation Street actress Melissa Johns has announced the arrival of her first child, sharing a sweet glimpse of her newborn baby girl with fans.

The actress, who played Imogen Pascoe on the ITV soap, posted the heartwarming news on social media, revealing that she and her husband, Dan Hampton, have welcomed their daughter.

In a touching post, Melissa shared a serene snap of a Moses basket with two tiny feet poking out the top, writing:

‘Our baby girl is here 🍂💕 We can’t take our eyes off of you.’

The understated announcement was quickly met with an outpouring of love and congratulations from friends, former co-stars, and followers. Messages flooded the comments section, celebrating the couple’s new arrival and sending best wishes to the new parents.

Melissa also shared a second photo showing her and Dan holding hands as they left the hospital together, carrying their newborn home for the first time, a quietly joyful moment marking the start of their next chapter as a family of three.

Fans will remember Melissa from her role as Imogen Pascoe, who appeared on Coronation Street between 2017 and 2019. Her character was best known as the girlfriend of Kate Connor, played by Faye Brookes, and their storyline was widely praised for its sensitivity and representation of same-sex relationships at the time.

After leaving the cobbles, Melissa continued to build an impressive acting career, becoming a familiar face on British TV. She currently stars as Miss Scott in ITV’s Grantchester and has also appeared in The Split, I Hate Suzie, The Interceptor, Silk, Casualty, and Doctors.

A growing family

Melissa announced her pregnancy back in June, posting a stunning beachside video that captured her excitement about becoming a mum. Dressed in a flowing red and orange floral dress, she proudly showed off her baby bump against a sandy backdrop.

On the ground beside her were a pair of tiny baby booties, a sonogram photo, a cuddly toy, and a small mirror etched with the words ‘Baby H-J 2025.’

At the time, she captioned the clip:

‘Oh baby. We made a wish and it came true… Baby H-J – we can’t wait to meet you. Forever grateful.’

The news came just eight months after Melissa and Dan tied the knot in a beautiful wedding surrounded by family, friends, and several of her Coronation Street co-stars.

The actress looked radiant in an off-the-shoulder white gown, while Dan opted for a classic suit. The pair were captured laughing, dancing, and celebrating their big day in a series of joyful photos shared online.

Advocating for better representation

Away from acting, Melissa is well known for her work as a disability rights advocate. Born without a right forearm and hand, she’s become a powerful voice for representation and inclusion in the entertainment industry.

Over the years, she’s spoken openly about the importance of authentic casting and the need for greater visibility of disabled actors on screen. Her honesty, humour, and willingness to challenge stereotypes have earned her huge respect within and beyond the industry.

Melissa has also written and performed in several acclaimed stage productions exploring identity and disability, including Snatched, which she described as ‘a love letter to self-acceptance.’

In interviews, she’s frequently highlighted how her own experiences have shaped her outlook as both an actress and an advocate, explaining that she wants to see ‘more stories where disability is just part of the character, not the whole story.’

Now, Melissa is stepping into her most personal role yet: motherhood.

Although she hasn’t shared her daughter’s name publicly, the tender photos and heartfelt captions make it clear that she and Dan are completely smitten.

After years of balancing a busy acting career with activism, Melissa’s new chapter looks set to be just as inspiring, only this time, it’s off-screen.