Emmerdale star Nicola Wheeler is pregnant

Emmerdale star Nicola Wheeler is about to become a mum for the first time.

The actress is currently on maternity hiatus from the ITV saga in which she has played Nicola King (formerly Blackstock) since 2001.

As the Leeds-based production is filmed up to six weeks ahead of transmission the character is still a part of current plots, and bosses are playing their cards close to their chests as to how she will depart the dales.

“Thanks for all your congratulations. Still got a couple of weeks before baby arrives. Unless he/she gets impatient.”  – Wheeler on Twitter

Next week’s episodes see Nicola causes a panic when she takes Priya’s baby Amba for a walk and ends up trapped in a barn. Nicola is upset when she realises that even hubby Jimmy (Nick Miles) doubted her over the unfortunate incident.

Nicola’s past storylines include a love triangle with sister, Bernice, and chef Carlos Diaz, malicious schemes including a get-rich effort that brought her close to murder, and settling down with hapless Jimmy.  

Emmerdale airs 7pm weeknights on ITV/STV/UTV, with an additional episode at 8pm on Thursdays