The actor, who plays Vinny Dingle in ITV1 and top streaming service ITX’s long-running soap, announced the couple would soon become “mum and dad” on Instagram on Wednesday (June 26).

In a series of photos, Bradley shared milestones from Sammie’s pregnancy, including her growing baby bump, some early scans, and a cake announcing their baby is coming in December.

Bradley’s Emmerdale cast mates were quick to congratulate the couple, with his TV mum Lisa Riley — who plays Mandy Dingle — saying she loved them “so, so much”.

Lisa went on: “At long long last I can tell everyone-you are both going to be the absolute BEST!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! so excited!!!! I’ve said congratulations to you both over a hundred times.”

Natalie Ann Jamieson, who plays Amy Wyatt in Emmerdale, celebrated the impending arrival of “baby bradders”, adding: “Congrats you gorgeous pair, couldn’t be happier for you.”

Joe-Warren Plant, who plays Jacob Gallagher, dubbed his co-star “Daddy Johnson” while Isabel Hodgins (who plays Victoria Sugden) said she’s “so happy” for Bradley and Sammie.

“Congratulations!!! So happy for u and ur little fam,” Daisy Campbell (aka Amelia Spencer) added.

Former Emmerdale star Jessie Elland wrote to Bradley and Sammie: “Ahhh amazing news!! Congrats guys!!!”

The parents-to-be received even more congratulatory messages from Dean Andrews (aka Will Taylor), Kevin Mathurin (aka Charles Anderson) and Lawrence Robb (aka Mackenzie Boyd), among many others.

Bradley and Sammie announced their engagement after two years of dating last October while posing in front of the Colosseum in Rome.

While Bradley has some huge life events going on off-screen, his TV alter-ego Vinny has also had an eventful few weeks.Vinny has recently developed a blossoming romance with Gabby Thomas — which Bradley’s co-star Rosie Bentham described as quite sweet despite the characters being “chalk and cheese”.