Big Bang Theory’s Johnny Galecki and his girlfriend Alaina Meyer welcome their first child

Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki and his girlfriend Alaina Meyer have welcomed their first child together.

The couple, who went public with their romance late last year, confirmed their happy news in a statement on Instagram as the actor announced they had welcomed a "beautiful son". "With full and grateful hearts we welcome our beautiful son into this incredible world," Galecki wrote. "Thank you for all of your love and support." In May this year, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together. They said:

“We are absolutely over the moon to announce that we will soon be welcoming a little one into this crazy and wonderful world. “We ask that you please respect our privacy during this celebratory time for us and our families. There truly is love out there for all. We hope ours is the ember of yours, as we feel yours is the ember of ours."

The couple's baby announcement comes as the Big Bang Theory came to an end earlier this year. Galecki spoke to TV Line earlier this year where he recalled the emotional moment he said goodbye to his character, Leonard Hofstadter. He explained:

“I took a little walk by myself around the [soundstage] after we wrapped and kind of said goodbye to Leonard — as odd and crazy as that sounds.”

And as sad as it was, the actor admitted he felt it was "absolutely" the right time to end the Big Bang Theory.  “Everyone was on the same page and [we] had talked for years about 12 being the right number," he said.