Awww, congratulations Shayne Ward and Sophie Austin!

The soap stars have been given the best early Christmas present ever – their baby daughter has arrived.

Former X Factor winner Shayne, who now stars in Coronation Street, shared the news with his Twitter followers, revealing that they’d chosen the name Willow May Ward.

Sophie, who appeared in Hollyoaks as Lindsey Butterfield, and Shayne announced they were going to be parents in August this year and have been excitedly looking forward to meeting their baby.

Recently, Shayne said of what was his best Christmas memory: “It’s funny actually because I would say what is about to happen.

Shayne Ward
Shayne is a proud new dad (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

“I have had some great Christmases like the year I won the X Factor and I got the 50th Christmas number one with That’s My Goal. That was a brilliant present for me because when I heard it announced on Radio 1 as Christmas number one it was pretty special.

“But it is definitely going to be topped by my new arrival.”