Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has announced that she is expecting her second baby.

The actress, 27, and her long-term partner Scott Sinclair – who have a two-year-old daughter named Matilda – told OK! magazine the pregnancy was a bit of a surprise.

They also revealed that a wedding might be around the corner.

Footballer Sinclair said of finding out Flanagan was expecting: “It was a little bit of a surprise! I was away in Dubai with my family. Helen couldn’t come as she was filming. She found out on a Thursday but had to wait until I got home five days later to tell me.”

Flanagan added: “I did three more tests just to make sure it was correct! I had a very strong feeling I was pregnant, so I wasn’t surprised. I was very happy, but I was a bit taken aback as this baby wasn’t in the plan. I knew I would feel a lot better once I’d told Scott.”

The actress said she has been suffering with hyperemesis gravidarum, the same severe morning sickness that the Duchess of Cambridge has battled.

She said: “I have just been really poorly. I couldn’t go into work and do any filming… it lasted for five weeks. It doesn’t sound like a long time but I was just so ill. Luckily it cleared up at 10 weeks. I know some women have a horrific time and end up in hospital for nine months, so I was lucky, but it was horrendous.”

Flanagan and Celtic player Sinclair have been together since 2009 and the actress said they “both would love to get married and for us all to have the same name”.

“I think we’ll get married pretty soon,” said the footballer.