Actress Friel gives birth to baby girl

Actress Anna Friel has given birth to a baby girl, it was reported today.

The girl, called Gracie, was born at London’s private Portland Hospital weighing 7lb 4oz, according to The Sun.

She is the first baby for Friel – who celebrates her 29th birthday today – and her actor partner David Thewlis.

The actress now plans to go on a strict diet and workout regime.

She has agreed to film nude scenes for her next film, football movie Goal!, which begins shooting in October.

“I have two months off after the birth to breastfeed and bond with my baby, and then it’s over to David,” she said in a recent interview.

“I pray I don’t have a Caesarean so I can get into a workout regime quicker.”

An ovarian cyst had left Friel fearing she may never have children.

The actress found fame as lesbian Beth Jordache in Brookside.

Thewlis, 42, played Professor Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and is filming the sequel to Basic Instinct.

Friel’s spokeswoman said an official announcement about the birth would be made on Friday.