The X Factor star Ray Quinn and his wife have revealed that his baby son was “born sleeping”.

The 38-year-old actor, who first made a name for himself on Brookside, shared that his son was born stillborn on August 20.

In an Instagram post published on Sunday, October 11, the singer and wife Emily Quinn wrote: “No words will ever be enough, just a lot of indescribable feelings. Heaven gained the most beautiful little Angel, and we were overjoyed when Rio was born, and we found out we had a little boy.”

“The last few weeks have been a lot, but our saving grace has been each other,” said the couple, who also share a daughter together.

The couple praised the team at Liverpool Women’s University Hospital for all their support during the difficult time.

He said it had been “the most heartbreaking week of our lives” but that medical staff had helped make “special memories with our boy to keep forever”.

“When it’s you that goes through such heartbreaking times like this, You soon find out just how much help and support there is out there. It’s a whole lot more than you’d ever expect. And it’s truly amazing!,” they added.

They also explained that they had opened up on the loss in more detail on their YouTube channel, explaining that going public with the news was not a decision they “took lightly”, but they were keen to help others “who find themselves in a similar situation”.

Friends and fans flocked to the comments to issue messages of support.

Former The Only Way is Essex star Jess Wright wrote: “Sending so so much love.”

Kym Marsh, whose own son died shortly after birth in 2011, added: “Oh Ray I’m so sorry. I know this pain only too well. Sending so much love xx

Sam Bailey, who won The X Factor in 2013, commented: “Oh Ray I’m so sorry my darlin xx no one should ever have to go through this xxx be strong babe!!!! Sending love to you all at this difficult time.”