Michael Greco has revealed he is expecting his second child.
The former EastEnders actor, 53, welcomed his first child Gianluca, who was born prematurely weighing just 4.47lbs with a rare birth defect in 2021.
Michal, who shares Gianluca with Helen Harris, has now announced he is preparing for another baby as he shared the news on his Instagram page on Friday afternoon.
Michael, who played Beppe DiMarco in the BBC show, shared a picture of their unborn child’s ultrasound alongside the words: ‘See you in June Daddy!’
He also wrote: ‘Absolutely over the moon to announce another Baby Greco is on the way. My beautiful boy Gianluca cannot wait to see his younger sibling.
Former EastEnders actor Michael Greco has revealed he is expecting his second child with his partner Helen Harris (pictured with their first born Gianluca)
The couple have now excitedly announced that they are preparing for another baby as he shared the news on his Instagram page on Friday afternoon
‘Thank you God for giving me another miracle baby. See you in June bubba.’
Michael received congratulatory messages from his friends in the comments section, including EastEnders alum Dean Gaffney.
Dean wrote: ‘You’re like a bus mate, wait 50 years and two come in succession.’
While Wayne Lineker, wrote: ‘Go on Grecs… I guess that means another year withou you coming to Ibiza.’
Claire Sweeney, said: ‘Congratulations’, while many others including DJ Tom Zanetti
Earlier this year, Michael was every inch the doting dad as he enjoyed a family holiday with Gianluca’s mother Helen Harris and their son.
The trio headed abroad for a spot of sunshine, with Helen taking to Instagram to share a slew of happy snaps from their time abroad.
The trip marks a major milestone for the family, with Michael previously breaking down in tears over Helen’s traumatic labour.
Michael received congratulatory messages from his friends in the comments section, including EastEnders alum Dean Gaffney
Earlier this year, Michael was every inch the doting dad as he enjoyed a family holiday with Gianluca, two, and Helen Harris
The trio headed abroad for a spot of sunshine, with Helen taking to Instagram to share a slew of happy snaps from their time abroad
Gianluca was born with a rare defect where his intestines had developed outside his body. But nearly two years on the tot looked happy and healthy in the photos.
Helen shared sweet snaps of a shirtless Michael on the beach with their son as well as ones of their boy sitting on his lap while out for dinner and on the airplane.
In another photo, Gianluca enjoyed a paddle in a pool with his orange armbands.
Helen, who has two other children from a previous relationship, captioned the photo: ‘A beautiful week away in the warm sun to relax, reset and spend some quality time with little Gianluca before he grows up too quickly! Thank you @thegrecs.
‘It was strange knowing @lily.may_harris was in Switzerland skiing, @c.__harris was doing everything football in Spain and we were relaxing under the warm sun and blue skies, but I guess it will happen more and more as they get older…so proud of them both, their strength and independence …plus, they had an amazing time!!.’
It came after Michael reunited with the Di Marco family 25 years after appearing on the soap.
The family were main characters on the BBC show in the 90s and consisted of mother Rosa (Louise Jameson) and her sons Beppe (Michael Greco) and Gianni, (Marc Bannerman).
Younger sisters Teresa and Nicky, played by Leila Birth and Carly Hillman, also featured on the soap as grandparents Bruno and Luisa and grandson Joe, who was Beppe’s son.
They proved a success in Walford with their family-run Giuseppe’s restaurant, but by the time 2000 had arrived, then-show executive John Yorke decided to cull the family, apart from Beppe and Joe who he kept on until 2002.
EastEnders Di Marco family looked unrecognisable as they reunited 25 years on (Left: Michael and Carly Hillman and right: Louise Jameson and Leila Birch)
Gastroschisis is a type of abdominal wall defect. It occurs when a child’s abdomen does not develop fully while in the womb.
Early in all pregnancies, the intestine develops inside the umbilical cord and then usually moves inside the abdomen a few weeks later.
In gastroschisis, the abdominal wall does not form completely so the intestines develop outside and are open to the air when the child is born.
Gastroschisis is immediately recognisable because the child’s intestines are outside of the abdomen. Some areas of the intestines may look darker as they have been in contact with the amniotic fluid inside the womb, which can damage them. The umbilical cord is visible but pushed to the side by the exposed intestines.
In many cases, it can be visible on prenatal ultrasound scanning, which is useful because it gives time for discussion and planning for when and where to give birth.
Many children with gastroschisis are born prematurely, often at around 35 weeks. Most are induced at around 37 weeks as there are increased risks after this time. Generally children are born naturally (vaginal childbirth) but some may need a caesarean section for other reasons.
We do not know exactly what causes gastroschisis although we do know that they are becoming more common, particularly in younger mothers under the age of 20 years. However, overall the incidence is quite low with 1 in 3000 babies being born with gastroschisis each year.
Source: NHS
