EastEnders’ Micah Balfour has revealed that he has become a dad for the first time and shared an adorable image of his newborn child which he described as his ‘best adventure’

An EastEnders star has become a dad for the first time as he proudly announced the birth of his child.

Micah Balfour, who plays love-rat Junior Knight in the BBC One soap, has taken to social media to reveal that he and his partner, Natalie, have welcomed their newborn. The star announced that he and Natalie were set to expand their family last summer, as he revealed their new addition was due in February.

Now, the actor, 46, has shared a sweet image of his baby’s hand, which is resting on his own, while the little one clutches onto his partners finger. Micah used a simple red heart emoji to caption his adorable upload, which has been liked over 900 times at the time of writing. His co-star James Farrah was one of the first to celebrate the news, sharing a heart emoji in the comments.

“Massive congratulations!!!!! Thrilled for you all,” wrote one follower. “Aahh Micah! Congratulations for an old NESCOT friend, I hope mummy and baby are both doing well. Lots of love to you all,” said a second. Meanwhile, a third went on to pen: “Congratulations welcome to fatherhood enjoy every minute.”

Another commented: “Massive congratulations to you guys and welcome earth side baby.” “Congratulations to you both! Enjoy the newborn snuggles, time passes so quickly so absorb it all,” gushed a fifth. Confirming his partner’s pregnancy last year, Micah who has dated Natalie, 33, for five years teased: “We’ve been keeping a little secret… Our best adventure yet!! Due February 2025.”

But while fatherhood may be his best adventure and secret, his EastEnders character Junior is currently involved in a very adventurous storyline. Over Christmas, Junior, who joined the soap last year, has faced his fair share of scandals – involving an explosive affair with his dad’s ex-wife, Cindy Beale.

The bombshell news was shared over Christmas by Lauren Branning, Cindy’s future daughter-in-law, who she had also been supplying drugs to. The news tore through the Beale and Knight families, with Ian Beale, Cindy’s fiancé kicking her out onto the streets, while George, who is now married to Elaine was left seething after he described the troublesome blonde as his “wife”.

During the storyline, Cindy was attacked by a mystery assailant who whacked her over the head with a snow shovel, leaving her for dead in the middle of Albert Square. Junior, as well as his family, have all become prime suspects in the case. But during Wednesday nights instalment of the show, Junior dropped a huge clue that he could be involved in the attack.

His sister, Anna Knight, revealed she discovered the attempted murder weapon and later hid it in the barrel store of the Queen Vic. But when George was quizzed by Cindy on the whereabouts of the shovel, he revealed it had gone missing after he quietly hid it on the roof.

Before the credits started to roll, Junior was seen sneaking the weapon into his flat, placing it against the wall of his bedroom while looking distressed. The identity of Cindy’s attacker is due to be revealed in February as part of the huge 40th anniversary storyline.