TV co-stars announce ‘great news’ that they’re expecting baby after low-key romance-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Co-stars Rafe Spall and Esther Smith joyously have announced that they are expecting a baby almost two years after first being romantically linked.

Rafe, 41, and Esther, 38, have starred as a married couple on hit Apple TV+ drama Trying since 2020 which is now returning for its fourth season.

The on-screen duo were first rumoured to be dating in November 2022 after Rafe announced his split from his wife of 12 years, Hollywood star Elize Du Toit, with whom he shares three children.

Now he and Esther are set to welcome their first child together, as the pair happily shared to Lorraine Kelly on today’s episode of her ITV programme.

After Lorraine said they had ‘great news’, Esther replied with a wide smile on her face, saying: ‘I’ve got a little bump’ while caressing her stomach.

It was suggested that the pregnancy could get woven into the narrative of their TV series, as the show follows their characters Nikki (Esther) and Jason (Rafe) as they try to start a family.

Rafe and Esther are growing their family in real life this time (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

All the pair could say in response was that they ‘hoped there was another series’ but they didn’t know yet.

‘We’ll have a baby, and then we’ll carry on, perhaps, with that [‘Trying’],’ Esther said.

Rafe added: ‘We’re very excited.’

Lorraine shared her congratulations with the happy couple, saying that it was ‘so fantastic’.

‘So delighted for you, it’s joyful, the whole thing is just wonderful.’

Rafe and Esther are an on-screen and off-screen couple (Picture: Courtesy of Apple)

Rafe was previously married to Elize Du Toit, with whom he shares three children (Picture: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

The Hot Fuzz star, son of British actor Timothy Spall, and Cuckoo actress have very rarely addressed their relationship to the press or in public.

In November 2022 they were pictured walking hand in hand.

In a new interview discussing the upcoming Trying season, Rafe discussed how Nikki and Jason reflect their real life dynamic.

‘In a long-term relationship when everything else has fallen away, if you still have a laugh together, then you’re going to be alright,’ Rafe told OK! Magazine.

‘In real-life Esther and I have a laugh together and share a similar sense of humour.’

‘I love that side of our characters and it’s so easy to play that with Rafe though because he’s so funny,” Esther added.

Their pregnancy is not the only happy news Rafe is celebrating this week alongside his family.

Rafe’s dad Timothy won a BAFTA for lead actor (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)

At the Bafta Television Awards 2024 earlier this week Timothy, 67, scooped up his first Bafta for lead actor after his acclaimed turn in The Sixth Commandment.

‘I’ve always wanted one of these. I’m just so pleased to be amongst you lot,’ Timothy said during his acceptance speech.

He also spoke about the ‘difference’ The Sixth Commandment has made. The series chronicled the real life murders of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in Maids Moreton by former churchwarden Ben Field (Timothy).

‘Sometimes you get the chance to play people that have had a terrible thing happen to then and all they wanted was love, and it’s a beautiful thing to be able to tell a story about that. It’s about crimes but it’s also about love,’ Timothy said.

‘And when it makes a difference and we can all share in the human condition, some of it horrible and some of it beautiful and even though acting is a silly stupid thing, its lovely.’

Trying returns for a fourth season on Apple TV+ on May 22. Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV.

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