As she tenderly cradles her baby son in her arms, actress Gaynor Faye contemplates how much her life has changed in the past year.

A little over a year ago she was single, having just walked away from a six-year relationship, and intent on pursuing her career and having fun.

Then she fell for estate agent Mark Pickering and fate took a hand. Within three months Gaynor became pregnant. Mark then proposed and the couple bought a house together in readiness for the arrival of little Oliver, who is napping contentedly in his mum’s arms.

As she relaxes in the rambling five-bedroom Victorian house just outside Leeds that she and Mark, 32, are renovating, it’s obvious how much motherhood suits her. Gaynor is a natural with Oliver, feeding him and winding him as she chats. She exudes a calm, serene aura and admits that she has never felt happier.

“I can’t believe how much my life has changed,” says Gaynor, who has just turned 30, and who is best known for her former role as Judy Mallett in Coronation Street.

“I’ve got everything I could wish for. It’s amazing how you can do so much in one year, we’ve really crammed it all in!”

For the full interview with Gaynor Faye, along with heart-warming photos of the actress with her new family, see this week’s HELLO! magazine, on sale now.