Emmerdale actor James Hooton and fiancée Nancy Lucas have spoken out about the birth of their second daughter, the speedy delivery and their choice of name.
The soap star, who has played the role of Sam Dingle for 21 years, since 1995, has spoken exclusively to OK! magazine about becoming a dad for the second time.
Nancy gave birth to their second daughter at Leeds General Infirmary on 29th January at 12.13am – just 13 minutes after her due date.
The mother-of-two said; 'I actually probably could have pushed her out a bit quicker so she arrived on her due date!'
The couple named the 8lb 3oz newborn Ava-Rose Maureen Lucas Hooton, despite previously suggesting that they would continue the flower theme of their first daughter, nine-year-old Lily.
James explained how he was actually on set, filming for Emmerdale, when Nancy went into labour; 'I had my phone in my pocket because I knew she could go into labour at any time. I was sat in the green room and I had two more scenes to do when I got a text at about 2.30pm saying - there's no problem or anything but just get in touch when you can.'
The actor rang his fiancée only to find out that she was in labour, James said; 'I rang her and she explained the situation and I said - It sounds like you're in labour!'
It 'only took three pushes' and '10 minutes' before Ava-Rose was born, a quick ending to what has been a long process of trying to get pregnant for the family.
Speaking in December, James told OK! magazine; 'We were hoping to get pregnant sooner - we've been trying for about two years but it wasn't happening. Then suddenly out of the blue we fell pregnant and it was a pleasant surprise.'
Nancy added; 'Because we'd been trying for so long, we had a massive stockpile of pregnancy tests, which we'd been doing sporadically. So one night I went upstairs while Lily was in bed, did a pregnancy test and then ran back downstairs and said - is that two lines James?'
Congratulations to the couple!
