Coronation Street Star Embarks on New Role as a Mother
Former Coronation Street actress Melissa Johns has announced the joyful arrival of her first child, a baby girl, sharing a heartwarming glimpse of her newborn with fans and followers. The actress, best known for playing Imogen Pascoe on the iconic ITV soap, posted the happy news on social media, revealing that she and her husband, Dan Hampton, have welcomed their daughter.
A Serene and Joyful Announcement
In a touching post that quickly captured the hearts of her audience, Melissa shared a serene snapshot of a Moses basket with two tiny feet peeking out from the top. She accompanied the adorable image with the heartfelt caption: ‘Our baby girl is here ?? We can’t take our eyes off of you.’ The understated yet powerful announcement was met with an immediate and overwhelming outpouring of love.
Messages of congratulations flooded the comments section from friends, former co-stars, and dedicated followers, all celebrating the new addition to the family. Melissa further shared the intimate moment of leaving the hospital, posting a second photo of herself and Dan holding hands as they carried their newborn home for the very first time, a quietly joyful scene marking the start of their next chapter as a family of three.
From the Cobbles to Grantchester
Fans will fondly remember Melissa Johns for her role as Imogen Pascoe on Coronation Street between 2017 and 2019. Her character was prominently featured as the girlfriend of Kate Connor, played by Faye Brookes, in a storyline widely praised for its sensitive and positive representation of a same-sex relationship.
Since leaving the famous cobbles, Melissa has continued to build an impressive and diverse acting career on British television. She currently stars as Miss Scott in ITV’s popular series Grantchester. Her other notable television credits include appearances in The Split, I Hate Suzie, The Interceptor, Silk, Casualty, and Doctors.
A Year of Milestones: Pregnancy and Wedding
The arrival of the couple's daughter is the latest in a series of joyful milestones. Melissa first announced her pregnancy back in June 2025 with a stunning beachside video. In the clip, she proudly showed off her baby bump in a flowing red and orange floral dress, with tiny baby booties, a sonogram, and a cuddly toy arranged on the sand beside her. She captioned the video: ‘Oh baby. We made a wish and it came true… Baby H-J – we can’t wait to meet you. Forever grateful.’
This wonderful news came just eight months after Melissa and Dan tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and several of her former Coronation Street colleagues. The actress looked radiant in an off-the-shoulder white gown, and the couple's joy was evident in a series of photos from their celebratory day.
An Inspiring Advocate On and Off Screen
Away from the camera, Melissa Johns is a well-respected and powerful voice for disability rights and representation. Born without her right forearm and hand, she has consistently used her platform to advocate for greater inclusion and authentic casting of disabled actors in the entertainment industry.
Her honest, humorous, and stereotype-challenging approach has earned her immense respect. Melissa has also written and performed in acclaimed stage productions like Snatched, which she described as a ‘love letter to self-acceptance.’ She has frequently emphasised her desire to see ‘more stories where disability is just part of the character, not the whole story.’
Now, Melissa is stepping into her most personal and rewarding role yet: motherhood. While she and Dan have yet to share their daughter’s name publicly, the tender photos and heartfelt captions make it abundantly clear that the new parents are utterly smitten. As messages of congratulations continue to pour in, it's evident that their baby girl has already made a huge impact, signalling the beginning of a wonderfully inspiring new chapter for the family.
