35-year-old actress and TV star Denise Van Outen has given birth to a baby girl Betsy Mead weighing 7lb 10oz. Both mother and daughter are said to be doing well after the birth on Saturday lunchtime.

Denise and husband Lee, 28, were quoted as being "proud and ecstatic" when Betsy was born. Denise had been hoping to have a natural birth and admitted she was nervous about going into labour. "Lee wants to hold my hand and I'm so glad he'll be there," she told Closer last month.

The pair had known since the last scan that they were expecting a baby girl. Denise was given a load of pink baby gear at her celeb baby shower, which she held at the Cibo Cafe inside London's Mamas & Papas store.

"It took Lee and me three hours to open all the presents," Denise enthused to Now. Denise also revealed she's going to look to her celebrity pal Myleene Klaas for mum advice, "Myleene's brilliant. She said, 'Do everything your own way.' I want to keep working... and as she's a great working mum she was ideal for advice."