There’s lovely news this morning in that former Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page has announced on Twitter that she and hubby James Thornton – who of course played the role of farmer John Barton in Emmerdale – are expecting their first baby.

Joanna, who’s currently starring in Sky comedy, The Gates, tweeted, “Happy news! James + I are delighted to announce that we’re expecting a baby! X.”

During a recent interview with TV Biz, Joanna hinted that she and James were keen to start a family.

She said, “We would love a family. We’ve just moved into a house in the country and we’d like to fill it with kids — and dogs.

“I’m like a mum 24/7 already because of Daisy. My life revolves around her. Before anyone becomes a parent they should get a dog…

“I can’t go clubbing all night or drinking until 5am because she has to be let out and fed. And she can’t be on her own too much.

“I love her and am very protective of her. So when I become a mum I’ll probably be exactly the same with our children.”

After the joyous announcement, Joanna and James’s Twitter pages were flooded with messages of congratulations, including one from Tom Ellis who is Joanna’s co-star in Gates, who wrote, “zipedeedoodah zipedeeday… congrats to you both…

“If you need any tips don’t ask me. I’m still trying to work it all out! Lovage xx”

Joanna and James, who have been married nine years, first met in 1999 when they both starred in a BBC adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield, but it wasn’t until a year later – when they were reunited by Joanna’s friend Maxine Peake – that they began to date and co-star in the Royal National Theatre’s stage adaptation of The Cherry Orchard.

What lovely news! Congrats to you both!