Pregnant Hollyoaks star Nadine Mulkerrin leaves fans baffled as she poses with newborn baby

HOLLYOAKS fans thought Nadine Mulkerrin had given birth early after she posed with a newborn baby.

The 28-year-old Cleo McQueen actress isn't due until May - but that didn't stop the congratulations flooding in anyway.

One fan wrote: "Beautiful didn't know you had baby yet congratulations."

However, many others pointed out that she had not in fact given birth, with one posting: "So awkward this is 🙉! it IS NOT her baby guys x.";

Another told the star: "You would like to think that the people who follow you are genuine fans. But the fact they don’t even realise this is not your baby is beggars belief lol. So embarrassing 🙈."

A third insisted: "Shes not due til May! Its not her baby! 🤦🏽‍♀️."

Eventually so many congratulations had come in that the actress had to post a clarification herself.

She wrote: "Guys this is my niece 🤣 im still over here heavily pregnant lol."

One fan replied: "hahah I did think wow you had that quick lol 😂 cx."

The confusion began when Nadine posted a picture of three-year-old son Reggie with a newborn, writing: "A weekend of meeting Beau Blue."

She then cleared things up by sharing a snap reading "cousin love" and clearly showing her bump.

Nadine announced in December that she and Rory Douglas Speed - who met on Hollyoaks - are expecting their second child together.

Son Reggie was shown holding a picture of her ultrasound in front of the family's Christmas tree.

She jokingly captioned it from Reggie, writing: “This better not be my only gift mum."

Nadine and Rory, who met on set of the Channel 4 soap, went public with their relationship in November 2017.

They got engaged a year later during a romantic trip to Amsterdam and the pair welcomed their boy into the world in October 2019.