Emmerdale actress Lucy Pargeter has opened up about the unrealistic expectations that are set for celebrities about getting back into shape after giving birth.
Mother-of-three Lucy told The Mirror that she would rather be more realistic about motherhood than portray and “unrealistic” image post-birth that some celebrities give off.
Lucy, who detailed her journey with IVF before giving birth to twin girls in 2017, said, “I'd rather be the reality of someone who has just had a child than the unrealistic version some people portray."
CHECK OUT all the celebs expecting in 2019
DON'T USE Celebrities expecting babies 2019 - stacked
1 of 9Marnie Simpson and Casey Johnson
Geordie Shore's Marnie Simpson and former The X Factor star Casey Johnson are expecting their first baby together! They announced the happy news in an interview with OK! magazine, with Marnie gushing, "I'm really nervous. I can't even talk about it, I get so scared. I'll make sure I've got some lip gloss and eyeliner. I don't want to be a mess!" Casey added, "I don't think you're ever ready until it happens, but we're so excited. It feels amazing."
2 of 9Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez
Actress Gemma Atkinson and Strictly Come Dancing's Gorka Marquez announced they're expecting their first baby on 1st Feb 2019. Gemma and Gorka posted an identical photo of their dogs Norman and Ollie on Instagram, with Gemma writing, 'And what Amazing big brothers they will be! Myself & Gorks are beyond excited and happy and feel incredibly blessed to be meeting our new family member later this year. Baby Marquez!!! We love you loads already ❤ufe0fud83eudd30.'Gorka wrote, 'Thank you for the greatest gift in life. Myself and Gem are beyond thrilled to be welcoming our new family member later this year! Baby Marquez ud83eudd30ud83cudffc♥ufe0f Norm and ollie can't wait to start their big brother duties ud83dudc36ud83dudc36.' [sic]
3 of 9Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden
Emmerdale actors Charley Webb and Matthew Wolfenden have announced they're expecting their third baby together! Taking to Instagram, Matthew shared an adorable snap of the newly-married couple and their two children, Buster and Bowie, holding up a board reading, 'Buster, Bowie and ...'. Alongside the snap, Matthew simply wrote, '#Number3'.
4 of 9Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds announced they are expecting their third child together, with Blake showing off her bump at the Pokémon: Detective Pikachu premiere.
5 of 9Hayley Tamaddon
Former Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon announced she's expecting her first child at the age of 42, despite being told she'd probably never have children.
6 of 9Benedict Cumberbatch and Sophie Hunter
Sherlock actor and his theatre director wife Sophie Hunter are expecting their third child together. Although neither of them have officially confirmed the news, Sophie is thought to have had her dress custom-made to accommodate her baby bump.
7 of 9Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner
Fifty Shades actor Jamie Dornan and his wife Amelia Warner are expecting their third child together.
8 of 9Jemma Lucy
Reality TV star Jemma Lucy has announced she's expecting her first child in 2019, but she's refused to reveal who the father is.
9 of 9Hannah Elizabeth
Hannah Elizabeth, who appeared on the first series of Love Island, shared her happy news on social media, posting two stunning snaps of herself holding her bump. She's expecting the baby with her fiancé, YouTuber George Andreetti.
She added, “I don't look how I used to – there are a few things I'm not happy with – but right now my children are my priority and I come second.”
Lucy, 42, who plays Chas Dingle in Emmerdale, went on to praise the Duchess of Sussex for not covering up her post-baby bump when she showed baby Archie off the world after giving birth earlier this year.
The actress said, “Thank goodness, Meghan didn't disguise her bump, she was the reality of what happens – you still have a tummy!”
Lucy went on to explain that she hasn’t felt pressure to get back to her gym routine and instead she prefers to spend time with her family during her hectic work schedule.
The actress, who is engaged to partner Rudi Coleano, also opened up about filming difficult scenes for Emmerdale, where her character deals with infant death, as her on-screen character chose to carry a baby to full term despite the child having a genetic disorder that meant it wouldn’t survive.
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In an emotional plot line, Lucy’s character is seen choosing to donate her baby’s organs. The actress has been nominated for Best On-Screen Partnership and Best Single Episode at the upcoming British Soap Awards for her work on the sensitive plotline.
The actress said that returning home to her three healthy children – daughters Lola, 13,and twin girls Missy and Betsey, two, was her way of finding comfort throughout a difficult filming schedule.