Former Coronation Street gymslip mum Tina O' Brien parades her growing baby bump

Former Coronation Street actress Tina O' Brien looked the picture of blooming health as she attended the opening night of musical extravaganza Afrika! Afrika! in Manchester last night.

The heavily pregnant 24-year-old looked just swell as she arrived at the show with boyfriend Ryan Thomas, 25, and revealed her growing bump.

Dressed casually in jeans and a beige printed top, the young mother-to-be opted for comfortable flats for her night out.

Bump joy: Former Coronation Street star Tina O' Brien enjoys a night out and parades her growing baby bump in Manchester last night

Tina who discovered she was expecting in April, looks in good health, but she recently admitted that she was worried when she first found out because she’d been drinking alcohol.

She told OK! magazine: 'When I first took the pregnancy test and it came up positive it was a massive shock.

‘But suddenly I was like, “God, I have to make sure it’s okay.” I’d even been drinking loads before!’

Boyfriend Ryan admitted to being shocked at the news. He said: 'When we first found out, we did think, are we ready?’

‘But all I know is I want to be with Tina for the rest of my life and Tina hopefully wants to be with me for the rest of her life and we definitely want to have a baby together.'

Expectant parents: Tina, seen here with boyfriend Ryan Thomas was worried initially about her unborn baby's health as she had been drinking alcohol

Tina is due to give birth early next year. The young couple, met on the soap and have been dating for 5 years.

Although Tina played young mother Sarah-Louise Platt in Coronation Street,s he said it hasn't prepared her much for motherhood.

'It's taught me how to hold a baby! You don't really ever get a feel of what it's like to be a real mum until you are one.'

And although the couple revealed they would like to tie the knot off-screen one day, they have said there is no rush.

Tina told OK: 'We'd both definitely love to, but at the moment I'd have a nervous breakdown trying to organise such a big day. It's such a special day that I'd rather wait than panic about it.'

Tina and Ryan enjoy the spectacular Afrika! Afrika! show which celebrates the artistic talents of artists from the African continent