Nicola Wheeler has become a mum for the first time. The Emmerdale actress, who plays Nicola King in the Yorkshire-based show, welcomed a baby boy last month, but chose not to announce the news of her little arrival until now.The soap's official Twitter account revealed Nicola and her partner Matt's happy news, writing: "BIG congratulations to @nicola_wheeler and her baby boy, who arrived on Friday 13! #Emmerdale" on the social media site.The TV star herself has remained quiet on Twitter since 3 April, no doubt choosing to make the most of every moment with her little one instead.
Nicola became a first-time mum in March
Lancashire-born Nicola, who turned 41 on Saturday, only revealed that she was expecting her first child in February."Thanks for all your congratulations," she tweeted. "Still got a couple of weeks until baby arrives. Unless he/she gets impatient. "Nicola's pregnancy had to be well hidden on screen as her character has recently been dealing with a devastating miscarriage – and moved to Dubai as a result.An Emmerdale source told the Sun of the show's difficulty at working Nicola's pregnancy into the plot. "Everyone is very happy for Nicola, it is wonderful news for her and her partner," they told the publication. "But hiding her bump has presented a real challenge and the team have had to be very clever in keeping it under wraps. "They also needed to explain Nicola's absence in a way that was in keeping with her character's story – which is the complete opposite to hers. But the bosses are happy with the storyline the writers have come up with and hope viewers feel the same.
Nicola plays Nicola King in Emmerdale
"Nicola is leaving in the next few weeks but her exit won't be aired for a while. "The news of Nicola's new arrival came soon after her co-star James Thornton also welcomed a bundle of joy.James and his wife, Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page, became parents to a baby boy named Kit on Wednesday.The duo, who are already parents to two-year-old Eva, said they were "so happy" at the arrival of their "beautiful baby boy".