Blackpool-born actor and broadcaster Nicola Thorp, widely recognised for her role as Nicola Rubinstein in Coronation Street, has announced she is expecting her second child with husband Nikesh Patel.
The news was shared through a series of photographs on Instagram, where Thorp, 37, showcased her baby bump alongside her husband, 40, and their young daughter. One image captured her daughter kissing the baby bump, with Thorp humorously captioning the post: “Sparking pregnancy rumours…”
Celebrity Well-Wishes for the Growing Family
The announcement quickly garnered an outpouring of congratulations from fellow celebrities and former colleagues. Among those who shared their excitement were actor Nathalie Emmanuel, who commented “Awwww,” and television presenter Carol Vorderman, who wrote: “Mahoosive congratulations missus xxx.”
Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver added a personal touch, stating: “V exciting. I know my god daughter will make the best big sister.” Other notable figures sending their best wishes included Melvin Odoom, Dermot O’Leary, Oti Mabuse, Kym Marsh, Clara Amfo, Carrie Johnson, and Dr. Nighat Arif, as reported by Metro.co.uk and Digital Spy.
Thorp’s Life Beyond Weatherfield
Nicola Thorp became a familiar face to viewers through her portrayal of Nicola Rubinstein, the daughter of serial killer Pat Phelan, on Coronation Street between 2017 and 2019. Her character departed Weatherfield following a dramatic storyline involving her father, during which she was accidentally shot but survived.
Since her time on the ITV soap, Thorp has expanded her career to become a regular contributor on ITV’s This Morning. She is also a prominent activist, using her platform to speak on issues such as feminine sanitary products and humanitarian crises. In response to comments on her pregnancy announcement, Thorp indicated that her work schedule would remain largely unchanged, stating: “I’m barely mat leave.”
Her husband, Nikesh Patel, is also a well-known actor, having starred in productions such as Channel 4’s Indian Summers, the Hulu miniseries Four Weddings, BBC sitcom Starstruck, and the thriller The Devil’s Hour.
Family Milestones and Campaigns
Thorp and Patel’s relationship began in 2021, leading to their engagement in 2023. They welcomed their first daughter in January 2024, followed by their marriage in the summer of 2024. The couple also appeared together in the fifth series of Celebrity Hunted in 2023, where Thorp was the first person caught, and Patel’s participation was delayed by COVID.
Beyond her acting and broadcasting, Thorp has been a vocal campaigner on social issues. In 2024, her advocacy contributed to a government announcement allowing police to reveal the identities of online stalkers, following her own experiences with online abuse. At the time, she highlighted the empowerment these measures would offer victims and the police in bringing abusers to justice, as reported by the Daily Record.