Kirsty-Leigh Porter, who plays Leela Lomax in the Channel 4 soap, has shared heartbreaking news with fans that her baby girl was stillborn.
The 30-year-old took to Instagram to share the devastating news, with a picture of a few mementos of her baby girl.
Alongside the picture, the actor wrote: ‘Our beautiful baby girl, Penny-Leigh Barber was born sleeping on the 21st of December 2018 at 6.49am, 29 weeks & 3 days young.
‘My heart has never felt pain like it. Sleep sweetly our angel. We will always love you. Love your Mummy & Daddy 💔 My Everything 💔’
Fans were quick to send their support to the star, with one saying: ‘Oh God, this is utterly heartbreaking to hear. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss, I hope that one day you will shine brightly again and that your baby girl will be your light. Lots of love’.
Another added: ‘I'm so sorry for your loss. sleep tight little angel ❤️’.
A third said: ‘Aww this is so sad 💔...I personally know and feel the heartbreak you are going through. So very sorry to see of your loss. Sending thoughts to you and your partner ❤xxx sleep well Angel.’
A fourth also advised Kirsty-Leigh to open up about her pain with her loved ones: ‘Thinking of you and partner at this sad time. It is the most hardest pain a woman goes through. Just keep talking to family & friends. Let them know how you feel.’
The TV star had announced her pregnancy back in November, in an interview with OK! Magazine where she revealed she was six months pregnant.
She said at the time: ‘We were really, really happy. You just feel everything at once.
‘With acting, you don’t know when you’re okay to be like: ‘Let’s take a year out and do this.’ You’re just prepared when it happens, and we’re so happy it’s happened for us now.’
Our thoughts are with Kirsty-Leight and her partner Paul at this difficult time.
Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death charity) supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. Call their Freephone helpline on 0808 164 3332, email helpline@sands.org.uk or visit www.sands.org.uk
