Frankie Jules-Hough, 38, had stopped to take a phone call on the hard shoulder of the M66 motorway in Bury, Greater Manchester, when the incident took place.

Adil Iqbal, 22, from Accrington, Lancashire, who was driving a BMW, has admitted causing her death by dangerous driving.

Hough's son Thomas, nine, and nephew Tobias, four, were badly hurt. Her two-year-old son Rocky was also in the car at the time of the crash, which took place on Saturday, 13 May, and was also hurt.

All were transported to hospital via air ambulance, but Hough sadly passed away two days later.

A GoFundMe appeal set up by a friend to raise money for Hough's family said she was 18 weeks pregnant, expecting a daughter.

The appeal has so far received over £52,000 of its £60,000 target.

Actor Paul Danan, who plays Sol in Hollyoaks, shared pictures of Hough on Instagram, expressing his shock and upset on learning of her death.

He wrote: "I just heard the most shocking upsetting news I've heard in such a long time. Another good, good friend who was such a special person has sadly passed away while carrying her unborn baby and her two little boys and nephew who were in the car too. They had a terrible car accident."

Hough played the character Jess Holt in the Channel 4 soap in 2000 and 2001.

Danon went on to call her a "wonderful actress," adding, "I adored her. I feel so lost now".

He later posted a picture of them in a scene together, and in a publicity shot from Hollyoaks in the early 2000s.

Former Hollyoaks actor James Redmond, who played Rory Finnigan in the show, commented: "Awful news, so young too. R.I.P., thoughts with her family."

Lizzie Cundy and singer Lisa Moorish also commented, expressing their sadness over her death.

Hough had also appeared in Merseybeat, Heartbeat, Where The Heart Is and Wire In The Blood.

Iqbal will be sentenced on 19 July.