Congratulations are in order to Days of our Lives’ Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) and his wife, actress, Gina Comparetto, on the news that the couple are expecting their first child!

The duo wed back in 2016, and now in a series of beautiful Instagram posts on Comparetto’s account, Billy and Gina shared the news publicly of their baby on the way with some photos to mark the occasion.

Gina expressed: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes 👶🏼…. Thank you to my dear, talented friend @jessieco_photo for taking these beautiful photos of us. We will cherish them forever and we love you! ❤️. Thank you @makeupmaryann for the gorgeous, 60s-inspired hair & makeup that you did! You’re truly the best! ❤️

Then, in a another set of photos it simply says: “Mom & Dad 💘” while Billy and Gina look over the book “What to Expect, When You’re Expecting.”

In the newest post, their are more adorable pics this time stating: “Party of 3 ❤️”

You can check all of them out below.

Share your well-wishes for Billy, Gina and the incoming newest addition to their family via the comment section.

 

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A post shared by Gina Comparetto (@ginacomparetto)

 

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A post shared by Gina Comparetto (@ginacomparetto)

 

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A post shared by Gina Comparetto (@ginacomparetto)

As DAYS viewers witnessed on Friday’s episode, Abe has been shot in the park, after Carmine pulls out a gun, and Jake (Brandon Barash) tries to apprehend him.  Jake rushes to Abe’s side and calls an ambulance and he is rushed to University Hospital.  Once there, Abe eventually flatlines, while Lani (Sal Stowers), Paulina (Jackee Harry) and Eli (Lamon Archey) are besides themselves with worry.

This sets the stage for Monday’s episode where Abe will go into the light, as Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) works to save his light and while he hovers between life and death, DAYS fans are treated to the special 40th anniversary episode of James Reynolds as Salem’s Abe Carver.   The Daytime Emmy-winning actor, (he won Lead Actor in 2018) began his Salem journey when he first aired back on October 29th, 1981.

Photo: JPI

While Abe revisits the past, he will meet up with his late wife and love of his life, Lexie, only according to Soap Opera Digest, Renee Jones was not available to be a part of the milestone episode. So, in a pivot another actress was brought in.

Reynolds told SOD on the Lexie appearance, “The young actress they brought in to be part of this was just wonderful“n giving the essence of (their) relationship and communicated beautifully, just beautifully, in her face and her eyes, as Renee did quite so often.”  He added, “I was kind of transported, actually.”

Photo: JPI

In addition, James continues to be the the longest-running black actor in the same role in television history.

Check out the latest NBC promo featuring Abe’s life hanging in the balance below.

Now let us know, are you glad that DAYS is honoring James with this special 40th anniversary episode? What has been your favorite James Reynolds performance as Abe through the years? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

UPDATED: Over the last 24 hours, the entertainment world has been stunned, by the horrific incident that took place on the set of the western drama Rust, while it was shooting scenes in New Mexico.

What is known is that Alec Baldwin (Ex-The Doctors, Knots Landing) discharged a prop gun that killed Director of Photography, Halyna Hutchins and injured director, Joel Souza.  The film also stars Frances Fisher (Ex-Edge of Night) and Jensen Ackles (Ex-Days of our Lives). Baldwin is also a producer on the film.

Photo: Getty

According to Variety, the prop gun contained a “live single round,” according to an email sent by IATSE Local 44 to its membership.

On Friday, Alec Baldwin made a statement via Twitter on his Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation Twitter feed, expressing: “There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother and deeply admired colleague of ours. I’m fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family. My heart is broken for her husband, their son, and all who knew and loved Halyna.”

Yesterday, The Sante Fe Sheriff’s Departments originally shared that “Hutchins, 42, and Souza, 48 were shot when a prop firearm was discharged by Alec Baldwin.  Ms. Hutchins was transported, via helicopter, to University of New Mexico Hospital where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel. Mr. Souza was transported by ambulance to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical center where he was undergoing treatment for his injuries. This investigation remains open and active. No charges have been filed in regard to this incident. Witnesses continue to be interviewed by detectives.”

This morning, Frances Fisher revealed in a twitter conversation with Patricia Arquette, that director Joel Souza had been released from the hospital.  Meanwhile, photographs of a distraught Baldwin emerged following the shooting.

Photo: New Mexican

The news of the Baldwin prop gun incident, isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Jon-Erik Hexum was killed on October 18, 1984, on the set of the TV show Cover Up when he accidentally shot himself in the head with a gun loaded with blanks. Then, in 1993, Brandon Lee, the son of martial arts legend Bruce Lee, died from a prop gun accident on the set of The Crow by a cast member.

As the news made its way through the entertainment community and mainstream news, several soap stars shared their reactions to the fatal shooting accident.

General Hospital’s Jon Lindstrom (Kevin/Ryan) expressed: “Feeling so sad for everyone involved in the tragedy on the #RustMovie set. I do know the film was staffed with experienced, thoughtful professionals. Please, let’s wait until we have the facts. Nothing positive will come from passing judgement or casting aspersions before then.”

General Hospital and Dynasty’s Emma Samms (Holly, Fallon) shared on her friend Jon-Erik Hexum’s death: This AWFUL tragedy on #Rust is unfathomable to me. If all on-set protocols were being adhered to, how, on earth, could it have happened? After what happened to Brandon Lee and my dear friend Jon-Erik Hexam, the firearm protocols became incredibly strict. I was told (when I was with him at the hospital afterwards) that Jon-Erik had been working with a completely empty gun all morning. A blank (still very dangerous) was loaded and then immediately there was a delay. Exhausted, he was allowed to fall asleep – loaded gun in hand. hey woke him, but there was immediately another delay. Jon-Erik put the gun to his head, forgetting it now contained a blank, (because he had just woken up) and jokingly pulled the trigger. He was not the kind of person to play around with a loaded gun. #fortherecord”

We will continue to post reactions and update this story.

What are your thoughts on the fatal shooting on the set of Rust? Comment below.  How can this not happen again, so everyone is safe in this working environment when ‘dangerous’ props are called for or used to make a movie or a TV show?