EastEnders actor Max Bowden has announced his son has been born, naming him Reginald Buckle.
The star's ex-girlfriend Roisin Buckle gave birth to the baby boy last Monday, Max, 27, announced in a sweet post on Instagram.
Sharing a black and white photo of the tot's feet, and another of Max looking adoringly at the newborn and holding his hand, the actor wrote on Instagram: "Reginald Buckle welcome to the world son. Born on the 19th September 2022.
"Greatest feeling in the world and a love like I’ve never felt. Will never get over the feeling of my son looking me in the eye for the first time.
"Well done to Roisin on being such a strong first time Mum and taking to motherhood like a champ.
"Heart is very full of love and gratitude, and can’t wait to love this little man for eternity! [love heart emoji]"
Max and Roisin had announced in April they were expecting a baby boy just weeks after confirming they had split. The pair vowed to raise the tot together at the time.
He had been dating the insurance executive since May 2021 but the pair went public in October.
Max, who plays Ben Mitchell in the soap, is now in a relationship with co-star Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney Dean.
Rumours circulated that the pair were together but they went official on Instagram last month.
Shona had split from her electrician fiancé Ryan Harris in January.
In June, Shona and Max were spotted looking very close as they giggled together on the red carpet at the Soap Awards, further fuelling romance rumours.
In exclusive pictures, brunette beauty Shona was seen gazing at Max with sparkling eyes as the co-stars appeared in high spirits after arriving to the annual awards.
That same month, the pair were spotted holding hands while on a romantic trip to a kebab van.
The pair were snapped holding hands at a Hertfordshire take-away where an onlooker told The Sun: "They looked very much like a couple.”
In July, Roisin claimed the actor hadn't spoken to her in six weeks.
She told The Sun: "At the time, I was all over the place, crying, not being able to look at a future without him by my side.
"There was hope we may co-parent but I haven’t heard from him in about six weeks now so I’m not really sure where that stands.
"The door is open and I would never stop him seeing his son so hopefully we hear from him."
The Sun reported that Roisin also said she felt "down" and "vulnerable" when Max didn't show up to her 20 week scan.
However, it has also been claimed that Max has pledged to financially support his and Roisin's child.
a source has said: "Max is saddened to hear Roisin make these claims as he has made it very clear that he will always be there for his son.
"But for the sake of his child’s privacy, he is not prepared to discuss these matters publicly and wants to do things the right way."
