Emmerdale’s Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter seen for the first time since she gave birth on night out with baby
The couple met when they were just teenagers but connected later in life
EMMERDALE stars Chelsea Halfpenny and James Baxter looked every inch the doting parents as they stepped out with their baby last night.
It is the first time the couple have been seen with their child since Chelsea gave birth to their daughter last year.
They enjoyed a night out in Manchester watching Sister Act on stage – with their little one joining them in her pram.
Chelsea, 32, known for playing Amy Wyatt on the ITV soap, grinned broadly as she strolled alongside James, 33.
Both looked effortlessly cool in black trousers and trainers as they headed home afterwards.
The actress revealed she had given birth last summer, telling fans at the time: “The best thing that’s ever happened to us arrived a couple of weeks ago, and she’s absolutely class. The little love of our lives!”
Chelsea, who also starred in Casualty and James got engaged in 2022 – 16 years after they first met.
Chelsea first met Waterloo Road star James, 33, aged 14 during a drama workshop.
The pair reunited at the National Television Awards in 2018 and six months later, they went on their first date – with James proposing last year.
The star previously recalled her first encounter with James.
“I really fancied him and he did not fancy me at all! He’s a year older and I thought he was really cool, but I also remember thinking, ‘Well, no wonder he’s not interested, because he’s just so much older than me!'” she told the Mirror.
In 2010, Chelsea joined Emmerdale playing Val and Eric Pollard’s troubled foster child, she caused chaos in the village and kept the residents on their toes in a series of storylines – but in 2013, Chelsea confirmed that she was leaving The Dales.
Meanwhile, James played Arthur Thomas’ half-brother Jake Doland months before Chelsea had joined the soap – so sadly their paths didn’t cross.
Chelsea explained how her Emmerdale co-stars would speak about James on set.
“I knew exactly who they meant because I remembered this gorgeous boy with the spiky hair that I fancied so much!” she said.
The pair then met again at the NTA awards in 2018 – Chelsea attended with BBC One’s Casualty for her role as Alicia Munroe and James was with the Still Open All Hours crew, which stars legendary actor David Jason.
She revealed that it was James’ “turn to chase her” after she spent years having a crush on him which left him surprised – and the rest is history.
