Former Coronation Street star and broadcaster Nicola Thorp has announced she is expecting her second child with her husband, actor Nikesh Patel.
The Blackpool-born actress, 37, shared the joyful news with a series of photographs on her Instagram account, featuring her baby bump alongside Patel, 40, and their young daughter.
Nicola Thorp’s Second Pregnancy Announcement
The announcement came via a touching photoshoot, first reported by Metro.co.uk, where Thorp was pictured in a green gown cradling her baby bump. Her caption for the post playfully stated: “Sparking pregnancy rumours…” Other pictures included her husband, Nikesh, appearing surprised while holding the bump, and their daughter affectionately kissing her mother’s belly.
The couple’s announcement has been met with a wave of congratulations from various public figures. Carol Vorderman sent “Mahoosive congratulations,” while former Corrie co-star Sue Cleaver commented, “V exciting. I know my god daughter will make the best big sister.” Other well-wishers included Carrie Johnson, Nathalie Emmanuel, Melvin Odoom, Dermot O’Leary, and Dr Nighat Arif, as noted by Digital Spy and the Daily Record.
From Coronation Street to Activism: Thorp’s Career
Nicola Thorp is widely recognised for her role as Nicola Rubinstein in the ITV soap Coronation Street, which she played between 2017 and 2019. Her character was the daughter of the serial killer Pat Phelan and was involved in a storyline where she was accidentally shot, though not fatally.
Since departing Weatherfield, Thorp has established herself as a regular contributor on ITV’s This Morning and has also appeared on Talk TV. Beyond her acting and broadcasting work, she is a prominent activist, using her platform to raise awareness on issues such as feminine sanitary products and humanitarian crises. In 2024, she notably campaigned for new government measures allowing police to reveal the identity of online stalkers, following her own experiences of online abuse.
Despite her busy professional life, Thorp indicated she wouldn’t be significantly slowing down, commenting on her pregnancy post: “I’m barely mat leave.”
Family Life and Well-Wishes for the Couple
Nicola Thorp and Nikesh Patel’s journey began in 2021 when they started dating. They became engaged in 2023 and celebrated both their marriage and the arrival of their first daughter in 2024. Their wedding took place in August 2024, just seven months after their daughter was born in January of the same year.
Nikesh Patel is an accomplished actor, known for his roles in series such as The Devil’s Hour, Starstruck, Indian Summers, and Four Weddings. The couple also competed together in a season of Celebrity Hunted in 2023.
What This Means for Manchester and North West Readers
For readers in Manchester and the North West, Nicola Thorp remains a familiar face due to her significant role in the region’s beloved soap, Coronation Street, and her origins in Blackpool. Her continued presence on national television and her active campaigning resonate with a local and broader UK audience.
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