Danny Walters shares news of FIRST-TIME FATHERHOOD after soap departure

EASTENDERS hunk Danny Walters has secretly welcomed his first child with his long term partner Maddi.

The soap actor revealed the news that he and his partner welcomed a baby girl named Autumn in a post shared to his Instagram on Wednesday night.

Couple posing for a selfie.

9

Danny Walters has secretly welcomed his first child with his long term partner MaddiCredit: danny_walters

Black and white photo of a newborn's hand held by an adult's hands.

9

The couple welcomed a baby girl into the world and named her Autumn

Keanu Taylor from EastEnders making a point.

9

Danny played Keanu Taylor in EastEnders – but he met a grisly endCredit: BBC

Couple kissing.

9

Danny and Maddi pictured on holiday in 2023
Sharing a black and white snap of the newborn holding on to his hand, Danny wrote: “One month with you, Autumn. Born March ‘25.”

Danny’s followers including his former co-stars were quick to congratulate him on the surprise baby news.

Actress Dianne Parish, who plays Denise Fox, said: “Ah wow! Congrats to you all Danny.”

Honey Mitchell actress Emma Barton penned: “Congrats darling…” alongside three red hearts.

And Clair Norris, who played his on-screen sister in the soap, shared a string of pink hearts.

Danny is best known for playing Keanu Taylor on the BBC soap.

Keanu was killed off at Christmas in 2023 in The Six storyline.

Gutted viewers watched as Danny’s character was revealed as the mystery victim of the Christmas Day death.

It saw Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) fatally stab Keanu as she attempted to stop him from killing her best friend Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).

Keanu was the second of Karen Taylor’s kids to die on the soap.

Keanu Taylor lies to Sharon Watts about their son Albie being abducted in EastEnders

The Taylor matriarch had already lost daughter Chantelle (Jessica Plummer) after she was murdered by her husband Gray (Toby Alexander-Smith).

Played by Lorraine Stanley, Karen was also cut from EastEnders in 2023.

She left the regular cast on December 8, exiting with Mitch (Roger Griffiths), Bailey (Kara-Leah Fernandes) and her grandchildren Mia and Mackenzie.

But since leaving, Karen has returned three times – including for Keanu’s final send off.

Karen arrived alongside her children Keanu, Bernadette (Clair Norris), Riley (Tom Jacobs) and Chatham (Alfie Jacobs), along with their assorted pets, back in June 2017 and quickly became fan-favourites.

Close-up selfie of a smiling couple in a pool.

9

The couple have become parents

Sharon Watts and Keanu Taylor from EastEnders at an event.

9

Keanu and Sharon never got their happy endingCredit: BBC

Keanu Taylor in a suit, looking shocked.

9

Keanu was stabbed to death by Linda Carter as she fought to save Sharon from himCredit: BBC

A woman crying in a white coat comforted by a police officer.

9

Sharon was arrested for the murder of Keanu but later clearedCredit: BBC

Sharon Watts and another woman arguing in a pub before a funeral.

9

The wake had its share of drama as Karen and Sharon clashedCredit: BBC