Hollyoaks couple Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas-Speed welcome first child 👶

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Author: Alex RossPublished 16th Oct 2019
Last updated 16th Oct 2019

A big congratulations is in order for Hollyoaks actors Rory Douglas-Speed and Nadine Mulkerrin who have welcomed their first child into the world, a healthy baby boy!

The couple, who play the roles of Joel Dexter and Cleo McQueen on the hit Channel 4 soap, confirmed their lovely news on social media, sharing an adorable snap. Proud dad Rory wrote, 'Welcome to the family wee Reggie Speed 15.8.19 We love You man ❤️👪 So proud of Nadine, I didn’t think I could love her anymore but my heart is bloody bursting! She was amazing throughout her labour, Women are seriously Superhuman x'. sic

The couple's Hollyoaks co-stars were quick to comment, with Kieron Richardson writing, 'Biggest smile on my face for you two....congrats xxxx' sic. Rachel Adedeji then wrote, 'Wonderful wee family!! My heart is full of love! So proud of you guys x x'. sic

Nadine and Rory, who announced their engagement in December last year, first confirmed their pregnancy news at the National Television Awards in June this year, with the 26-year-old showcasing her little bump in a stunning white gown.

Clearly delighted with their news, Nadine captioned the snap, 'That's us three ready for the @thebritishsoapawards.' The post was also shared on the official Hollyoaks Instagram account with the caption, 'BEST. NEWS. EVER.'

Since then, the couple have kept fans up to date throughout their pregnancy, with Rory sharing a snap of himself in the nursery back in August. He wrote, 'Honestly love our Nursery! can’t wait for the wee one to live in it and be best pals with Gerry The Giraffe. 😍🦒'. sic

Then, in early October. Rory shared a lovely snap alongside a heavily pregnant Nadine, writing, 'Not long now... 😯😱🙏🏼'. sic

Meanwhile, as well as welcoming their new arrival, it's a very exciting time for the love-birds, with the also said to be planning their wedding following Rory's proposal at the end of 2018. Rory popped the question during a romantic trip to Amsterdam in December, writing, ' 'She said yes!! ❤️' on Instagram.

Congratulations to Nadine and Rory on the birth of their first child. 👶

Check out which other soap stars fell in love on set:

Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry

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Charlie Clapham and Stephanie Davis

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Status: Split

James Sutton and Sammy Winward

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Peter Amory and Claire King

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Samantha Giles and Peter Amory

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Jennifer James and Lee Boardman

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Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop

Emmerdale co-stars Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, and Lesley Dunlop, who plays Brenda Walker met on set and got married in Cornwall in 2016.


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Alan Halsall and Lucy-Jo Hudson

Coronation Street co-stars Alan (Tyrone Dobbs) and Lucy-Jo (Katy Harris) married in 2009 and share daughter Sienna. After splitting in March 2016, the pair reunited, but in 2018 announced they were splitting for good.


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Tisha Merry and Alan Halsall

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Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas

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Alfie Browne-Sykes and Amanda Clapham

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Nicole Barber-Lane and Liam Fox

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Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan

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Emmett J. Scanlan and Claire Cooper

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Nadia Sawalha and Marc Bannerman

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Charlie Clapham and Tamara Wall

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Anna Passey and Nick Rhys

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Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb

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Harley Bonner and Ariel Kaplan

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Chris Milligan and Jenna Rosenow

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Status: Engaged

Daniel Brocklebank and Rob Mallard

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Nadine Mulkerrin and Rory Douglas Speed

Hollyoaks actors Nadine Mulkerrin (Cleo McQueen) and Rory Douglas Speed (Joel Dexter) took their on-screen romance into real life! They even got engaged in December 2018 and welcomed a baby boy in 2019.


On Christmas Day in 2021, the pair confirmed they were expecting their second child together, welcoming Dougie James Speed in May 2022.


Status: Engaged

Daisy Wood-Davis and Luke Jerdy

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The happy couple the got married in June 2022, and two years later announced they were expecting their second child together!


Status: Married

Sally Carman and Joe Duttine

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Status: Married

Sophie Porley and Adam Woodward

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Status: Split

Owen Warner and Stephanie Davis

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Status: Split

Mark Jordon and Laura Norton

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In October 2022, the couple welcomed their second child, a baby girl called Ronnie.


Status: Engaged

Fiona Wade and Simon Cotton

Emmerdale's Fiona Wade, who plays Priya Sharma, announced in 2017 that she was dating someone, and when she posted a cryptic photo in the summer of 2018, many were sure that she was in a relationship with Simon Cotton, who had a small part on the soap in 2017. They also announced their engagement on New Year's Day 2019.


Status: Engaged

Anna Passey and Kyle Pryor

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Natalie J Robb and Jonny McPherson

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However, reports suggested in June 2021 that the pair had split earlier in the year.


Status: Split

Kris Mochrie and Max Parker

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The couple then announced their engagement in January 2021, when Max popped the question!


Status: Engaged

Jemma Donovan and Owen Warner

After Jason Donovan's daughter Jemma joined the cast of Hollyoaks as Rayne Royce in January 2023, sparks were quick to fly with co-star Owen Warner, who plays the role of Romeo Nightingale. The pair confirmed they were dating in April 2023, looking smitten as they enjoyed a holiday in Mallorca.


Status: Dating

Although Nadine is currently taking some time off from Hollyoaks, the actress is expected to return to the soap in 2020.

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