Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj Claire Sweeney is expecting her first child with her ex-fiance, computer software tycoon Daniel Riley.
The 43-year-old actress, whose separation from Daniel was announced in April, is understood to be thrilled with the pregnancy.
Former
Brookside star Claire has maintained a close friendship in the weeks
following their split and are said to be looking ahead to the impending
birth.
Dream come true: Claire Sweeney and ex-fiancé Daniel Riley are expecting their first child
The
news comes as her new, co-written play Sex and the Suburbs - in which
she also stars - opened to enthusiastic reviews at the Liverpool Royal
Court on Friday evening.
Her
agent Jonathan Shalit, Chairman of Cole Kitchenn, said: ‘Claire could
not be happier. To be pregnant and starring in her own show in her home
town of Liverpool is all her dreams come true at once’.
The
actress got engaged to Daniel on Christmas Eve 2013 and planned to wed
the 28-year-old in the House of Lords, but the relationship reportedly
came to an end at the start of this year.
Looking ahead: Claire and Daniel announced their separation in April - but remain close friends
According
to OK! magazine, a spokesperson for Claire said: 'They parted company
just after Christmas.' When they were pressed for further details, they
replied: 'No comment.'
The
news was in stark contrast to twelve months earlier, when she told
Hello! Magazine: ‘The reason I've never married or had children is
because I take it very seriously and I hadn't met the right person.
‘I'm
a workaholic. I've had a great life and a fabulous career. It would
take a very special man to make me stop and want to be with them.
'Daniel is that person. I was thrilled when he asked me to be his wife.’
Mother to be: Former Brookside star Claire is five months pregnant
In the past Claire admitted that Daniel had helped her restore her dream of having children.
Speaking
at the time, she said: ‘I definitely want to have children, that’s
still part of my plan, so hopefully watch this space.
'I believe in fate but I think you do start thinking; yes I am at an age now where I do have to think about it and consider it.
'But
then a friend of mine has just got pregnant at 46. She had been trying
for years for a baby and then got pregnant naturally at 46’.
