Ferne McCann confirms the birth of her baby girl with adorable first picture

Ferne McCann has revealed that she has welcomed her first child, a baby girl.

Former The Only Way is Essex star Ferne announced the happy news on her Instagram account, telling her 1.8 million followers that the newborn had surprised her by arriving a week before her due date.

'Wellcome to the world my darling,' Ferne wrote in the caption, alongside a snap of her daughter in a white babygrow with an appliqué crown. 'Didn't expect to see you a week early 🙂. I'm so in love & bursting with pride. It's a girl 👶🏼💗💗💗.'

Fans have rushed to send the new mum messages of congratulations over her bundle of joy.

'OMG Just too adorable and gorgeous!!!' one exclaimed. 'Congratulations, congratulations, Congratulations!!!! Welcome to the world tiny princess xx.'

'Huge congratulations. Well done on bringing your blessing into the world,' applauded another. 'There is nothing better than this journey you are embarking on. Enjoy every second of this precious time.'

The announcement of Ferne's pregnancy back in April came at a difficult time for the reality TV personality, as it came amidst news that her partner at the time, Arthur Collins, had been arrested over an alleged acid attack at a nightclub in London.

She eventually confirmed the fact that although she and Arthur had subsequently split, she was expecting their first child together, with a statement released to OK! magazine, which read: 'Ferne is grateful for the sympathetic way news of her pregnancy has been covered and people's support and obviously her first concern is for her child's health.'

'Ferne is in no way seeking sympathy for her situation and is determined to do all she can to have a happy and heathy child and face the challenges of being a single parent with all her energy.'

However, in a later interview with the same mag, Ferne said that she didn't feel like she was raising her baby as a single mother.

'I have done this whole pregnancy on my own, but at the same time I'm so not alone – I've got such a great support network with my mum, sister and friends,' she explained. 'I've not felt alone or been alone once during this pregnancy.'