Bronagh Waugh is pregnant.
Bronagh Waugh
The former 'Hollyoaks' actress is expecting her first child with her husband Richard Peacock, and the 38-year-old star joked she has been busy in lockdown preparing for her "next role".
In a post on her Instagram account on Monday (08.03.21), she wrote: "Happy International Women’s Day!
Over Lockdown I’ve been busy preparing for my next role (spoiler alert: it’s pretty major - I’m going to be a Ma!)
Women’s bodies are incredible with what they can do and what they withstand. Absolute miracle machines and strong as an ox!
So Happy International Women’s Day to all of the incredible women out there doing their thing; surviving, thriving, coping and carrying on. You make the World go round & I salute each & every one of yiz!
"Big love & thanks to the absolutely brilliant @stewartbywater who did this Zoom shoot to mark this moment for me (as I haven’t been able to see any of my friends and family for the whole pregnancy!!) He’s one of the kindest, most creative, gentlest souls who made me feel strong, empowered & beautiful. So Happy International Women’s Day to him too & all the brilliant men in our life who help raise us up, support us with solidarity & love us. (sic)"
Bronagh - who portrayed Cheryl Brady in the Channel 4 soap - also claimed women in Northern Ireland are still having to travel to England "to access proper healthcare", despite abortion being decriminalised and becoming lawful in the country in October 2019.
She added: "Being pregnant has only affirmed how important reproductive rights are to me & how we must continue to fight for them.
It’s been over a year since abortion was decriminalised in N Ireland and yet still women are being forced to travel to England in the middle of a pandemic to access proper healthcare. It is unacceptable. The UK government, the Secretary of State #BrandonLewis & Stormont are all playing pass the buck & proper, safe, local abortion services are barely available or hanging on by a thread (due to the sheer perseverance of medical professionals and doctors). This is in spite of the UK Gov decreeing by law, nearly 18 months that abortion services should be made available in NI. (sic)"