Danny Miller has thanked "hero" doctors after his baby niece was discharged from hospital following a 100-day stay – after she was born weighing just 1lb 5oz.
The ‘Emmerdale’ actor has paid tribute to the "incredible" medics who have cared for the youngster, Callie – the daughter of his brother Paul and sister-in-law Jessica Miller – after she was born 14 weeks premature.
He wrote on Instagram: "This post isn’t seeking your attention or sympathy for me. This post is seeking your attention and sympathy for the #NHS
100 days ago.. My gorgeous little niece.. – Callie Lennon Miller – .. was born into this world to begin her battle of life. After just 26 weeks in the comfort of my incredible Sister In Laws womb, she brightened up our lives as she was born.
Born 14 weeks early, she weighed a tiny 608g (1lb 5 oz). She spent 100 days in NICU under the care of the incomparable staff of the #NHS – at both #RoyalBoltonHospital & #StMarysHospital in Manchester.
Thanks to the team of heroes at both hospitals, she can now breathe and feed on her own and is free of incubators and tubes. (sic)"
After weighing just 1lb 5oz when she was born, Callie has now grown to 6lb 6oz, and Danny – who plays Aaron Sugden-Dingle in the ITV soap – admits he "couldn’t be prouder" of the little one, his brother and sister-in-law.
He added: "Weighing a whopping ‘6lb 6oz’ she is FINALLY coming home into the loving care of two beautiful human beings, in my Brother @manclydrawnboy & his courageous wife Jessica Miller, who are both already model parents.
If you had just half the inspiration, bravery and determination that these three have, you can overcome the impossible.
They did. And I couldn’t be prouder.. "Welcome to The Big Wide World, Princess. I will do everything I can for you and more, I promise" #NHS70 (sic)"
With Danny set for some babysitting duties, his character Aaron is also keen to look after a little one.
In next week’s ‘Emmerdale’, he will announce to husband Robert Sugden-Dingle (Ryan Hawley) that he is keen for the newlyweds to have a child of their own, leaving his hubby stunned.