Shayne Ward expecting second child with fiancée Sophie Austin

The couple, who are already parents to 5-year-old Willow, revealed that they initially tried IVF after failing to conceive but were overjoyed when Sophie ended up falling pregnant.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Shayne said that the pair were “on cloud nine” and are expecting their bundle of joy, a baby girl, in May.

“I would always say to Sophie: ‘I know in my gut and in my heart of hearts that we are going to have more children,’” the singer said.

“There was no two ways about it. We never gave up. It's been a whirlwind. And 16 years after I appeared on The X Factor, I have a beautiful family and one on the way.

“I am on cloud nine. It's amazing that we're going to have another girl to add to the Ward clan.”

Opening up about the couple's experience with IVF, Shayne’s fiancée, Hollyoaks actor Sophie Austin, said that the process was “emotionally draining” but her partner’s “positivity and belief” kept her going.

“It was one of the most emotionally draining things we have ever been through,” she explained.

“And for Shayne, it was quite a hard process because he wasn't physically going through it but it was just as tough for him.

“My mental health was probably on the floor. If it hadn't been for Shayne and Willow... I've never felt so depressed and low in my whole life.

“I think it was Shayne's positivity and belief that kept me going. I would be saying: ‘We need to accept this might not happen,’ and he would refuse.”

Shayne added: “Basically, it's in the hands of God in a sense. I always knew a good thing was coming.”

Manchester native Shayne rose to fame as the winner of the second series of The X Factor in 2005.

Although he was born in the UK, the 37-year-old has family in Roscommon, Dundalk, Tuam, Tipperary and Cork.

He has previously said that moving to Ireland is “always something [he] wanted to do.”

“My whole family were born and bred in Ireland so I keep saying to my mum I need to spend more time in Ireland,” he said in 2019.

“I need to see more of my distant relatives and I plan on doing more shows in Ireland.

“Moving to Ireland is always something I wanted to do when I was younger, upsticks and move back so you never know, it’s always on my mind.

“I’d love to though and I think Willow May would love it.”