CONFIRMED: Emmerdale star Emma Atkins pregnant...and thought to be EIGHT months along
SHE'S one of soapland's most loved villains, but while Emmerdale character Charity Macey is in prison the actress Emma Atkins has revealed she's pregnant.
Emmerdale star Emma Atkins is 'eight months' pregnant
The star, 39, is expecting her first child with her businessman partner Tom, and is already eight months pregnant.
A show source told The Sun: "No one has guessed she's pregnant so didn't see Charity's prison sentence coming. Everyone assumed she would get away with it like she has so many times in the past.
"But the fact that Emma is pregnant gave the writers a perfect opportunity to finally punish Charity. She's going to be rotting in jail for at least a year."
It's well-timed as Emma's soap character Charity was sent to prison last night for two years after committing insurance fraud.
Emma Atkins says a temporary goodbye to jailbird Charity Macey - Emmerdale
The gorgeous actress is thought to be nearly full-term
In a video published to the ITV website, Emma said: "I have a mixture of emotions going around because obviously I'm leaving for a while, so I'm here to tell you all about that really.
"It's been a gargantuan year for my character. It's been a wonderful year, actually, for me as an actress and for me as my character. And hopefully the audience have enjoyed seeing Charity go over lots of lumps and bumps, and make so many more mistakes."
She added: "I am leaving, probably for about a year because I'm leaving to have a baby which is really exciting. I will miss Emmerdale so much but it's a new little journey in my own life that I'm taking on now.
"I'll miss everyone and I can't wait to come back - hopefully within a year, so don't worry she's still around!"
The actress made an announcement on ITV's website
The news of the pregnancy has thrilled soap fans on social media with many of them taking to Twitter to congratulate the star.
One fan claims to have been 'miles' ahead of this news, guessing weeks ago from her character's clothing.
The Twitter user said: "@erinlou123 was miles ahead with this one!! The heavy coats and bag trick so gave it away!! #Emmerdale "