Exclusive: Barry Sloane to become a father

Ex-Hollyoaks actor Barry Sloane is to become a father for the first time, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

The 28-year-old, who played Niall Rafferty in the Channel 4 soap, and his fashion designer girlfriend Katy O'Grady, 25, are expecting their new arrival in March.

Speaking exclusively to DS, Sloane said of the news: "I'm absolutely made up, I can't wait.

"I'd just gone down to London to start rehearsals and I got the call with the news. We're over the moon - I'm really looking forward to become a dad."

He continued: "We don't know if it's a boy or a girl yet. We had the 12-week scan, but we couldn't see what sex it was. We just knew that it had two arms, two legs and a heartbeat, which is all you want at that stage."

The pair are due to attend their 4D scan in a few weeks' time.

He jokingly added: "We've got loads of names for girls and nothing for a boy, so it'd be easier if it was a girl! But seriously, We'll just be happy with whatever we're given."

Yesterday, DS revealed that Sloane is to make a guest appearance in BBC One's flagship medical drama Casualty.