Nicole Barber-Lane has been slammed after joking she was pregnant on April Fool's Day.
The 49 year old took to social media on Wednesday morning to tell her fans she was expecting triplets.
But the Hollyoaks actress quickly deleted the post after angering fans who felt it was "insensitive" to joke about being pregnant when many women struggle to conceive.
Nicole, who plays Myra McQueen on the hit Channel 4 soap, uploaded a video of herself showcasing a fake bump to her Twitter and Instagram pages announcing the news.
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She told her combined 142,000 social media followers: "Hi, so I would like to share with you some news that has been confirmed today. I am expecting triplets."
However, she quickly deleted the upload after facing backlash from fans, confirming it was an April Fool's Day joke.
Sharing an image of herself mocked up next to Beyoncé, taken when she was expecting twins Sir and Rumi, she wrote: "April 1st today. My tummy is bloated with these three — cake, bread and booze."
Fans were quick to show their anger towards the star, with one writing: "With being a celebrity I'd have thought maybe you'd have more common sense than this…ITS NOT A JOKE…maybe put brain into gear before opening your mouth next time. [sic]"
A second wrote: "Wow! Could you be anymore insensitive!! What about all these women who can’t get pregnant!!"
With a third commenting: "Have you ever thought about all the women out there that struggle to get pregnant? It is NOT a joke!"
Another said: "when people are already heightened up with frustration already due to current situation – this could not have come at a worse time tbh [sic]," hinting at the current coronavirus crisis.
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Nicole's ill-timed prank came just days after a cameraman for the soap tragically passed away after fearing he had contracted the deadly bug.
Felix Schroer, who was the Director of Photography on the E4 show, feared he had contracted the deadly virus, but was unable to get tested, his sister revealed.
His sister, Sylvia Schroer, took to Twitter on Monday to urge people who have symptoms to self-isolate.
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One Twitter user asked if he should stay indoors after developing a "persistent dry cough", to which she replied: "Many are in this situation. I lost my brother on Friday. He had cough/runny nose for 2 months.
"He was given antibiotics by GP last Monday & self isolated. He died on Friday. It seems he had a massive allergic reaction to the medication but believed he had Covid 19 & no test done.
She continued: "The aftercare support wasn't there & online advice made him believe allergic reaction was side effect of helpful drug – so he carried on. But we cannot speculate as we have not been able to speak to coroner yet."
OK! online has contacted a representative for Nicole for comment on this story.
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