As fans of Emmerdale will most likely know, Natalie Anderson – who plays gobby barmaid Alicia Gallagher – is expecting her first baby, and it seems she just can’t stop watching Channel 4 documentary series One Born Every Minute!

Natalie’s baby is due in August, and she and husband James are busy preparing for the arrival of their little one by poring over baby name books and learning as much as they can about what to expect during her labour.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Natalie – who’s also starred in Wire in the Blood, Holby City and Dalziel and Pascoe, and who made the Top 50 in the original series of Pop Idol in 2001 – said, “We found out a little while ago that we’re having a boy but we haven’t come up with any names yet.

“We want to wait and see what he looks like…”

She added, “I’ve been watching One Born Every Minute. I’m obsessed with it, but it’s really starting to freak me out.”

And of how her character will be written out of Emmerdale while she’s on maternity leave, Natalie said, “I’m really pleased with the exit they’ve come up with in Emmerdale. All I can say is that it involves David.”

Oooo! Well there’s sure to be a romance on the horizon there, so will it go well or badly? I hope it goes well; poor David could do with getting back on the lurve horse.

But I will miss Natalie while she’s away. Alicia is one of my favourite characters in Emmerdale, and she plays her so well! One minute bitch, the next clown, the next caring mum and a woman with deep seated issues. Brilliant.