EastEnders star Ross Kemp and wife Renee announce birth of twin girls

EastEnders' favourite hardman Ross Kemp has become a dad for the third time - this time to adorable twin girls - and given them the cutest baby names.

Taking to Twitter, 53-year-old Ross posted a sweet black and white snap of his wife cradling the two newborns, sharing the news - and names - with his 126k followers.

The actor and BAFTA award-winning investigative journalist captioned it simply with: 'Mum, Ava and Kitty doing well! Dad overjoyed. Thanks to all at the hospital! '

Messages of congratulations poured in from both fans and celeb pals alike. TV star Amanda Holden commented: 'Gorgeous. Congratulations. Beautiful names xx',' whilst actor Lawrence Fox said simply: 'Huge congratulations.'

'Huge congrats. I have twin boys. Worth every second of sleepless nights. Hubby had u as passenger in his cab once. Said you were a true gent,' wrote one excited fan.

'Two for the price of one, if only...Congratulations all round,' another exclaimed, whilst a fellow parent of twins posted: 'Congratulations! Mummy to boy/girl twins here it's hard! But so worth every sleepless night they are so beautiful. love the names.'

'OMG! How tiny are these two wonders!! Congratulations to all,' agreed another.

The star took the time to thank the medical team who helped baby Ava and Kitty into the world: 'BIG THANKS to Lawrence Impey and his team. Very happy Dad again!'.

Ross is already a father of two sons - his eldest from his previous relationship with ex partner Nicola Coleman, and the second with wife Renee.

The pair married in 2012 and kept their first pregnancy in 2015 a well-kept secret until their son happily arrived in April. Taking to Twitter at the time he wrote: 'What a day! Mum and baby doing well, Dad very proud!

'8lbs 7oz, born at 10.54am. Happy boy, asleep already!'