‘The Only Way is Essex’ star Sam Faiers has given birth to her first child, a baby boy. The reality TV actor and model and her boyfriend, Paul Knightley, welcomed their new arrival earlier this week.

The birth happened on Tuesday (December 29th), just two days before Sam’s own New Year’s Eve birthday, and she commemorated her new arrival with an Instagram post. She shared a black and white picture of the baby’s fingers wrapped around mum’s and dad’s, with the caption “Welcome to the world our beautiful baby boy 29.12.15.”

Other details surrounding the birth, such as the baby’s name, weight or birthplace, have been kept under wraps so far. However, several of her family, friends and colleagues have already sent their congratulations via social media.

Welcome to the world our beautiful baby boy?? 29.12.15

A photo posted by Sam Faiers (@samanthafaiers1) on

Her older sister Billie sent her congratulations on Instagram: “I am the proudest sister and auntie in the world @samanthafaiers1 and Paul… I cannot describe my love for my beautiful nephew… I love you all so much and I can't wait for all the wonderful time we are going to spend together with him and Nelly…”

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Harry Derbidge, who also starred with Sam on TOWIE, posted on his Twitter: “Congratulations to my friend @SamanthaFaiers and Paul I can't wait to meet him x”

Sam, who was engaged to marry her ‘TOWIE’ co-star Joey Essex a couple of years ago before splitting on-screen, has been excited about the prospect of motherhood, posting several pictures of herself and her niece on Instagram over the last couple of years.

Sam FaiersSam Faiers in October 2015

Speaking to the MailOnline in October, she said about her imminent motherhood: “I'm feeling really positive. People always want to tell you their horror stories but I'm just ignoring them. ‘I'm going to be fine’, I keep telling myself.”

She and Paul Knightley met in a bar in Essex just 14 months ago, and have since enjoyed a whirlwind romance, with the announcement of her pregnancy happening back in August.

More: Video – Sam and Billie Faiers leave Sin City as they arrive at Las Vegas’ McCarran airport [archive]