It will be a double celebration for actors Joanne Peh and Qi Yuwu, who welcomed their daughter two days ahead of Singapore's Golden Jubilee.

Peh gave birth to the girl at about noon yesterday at Mount Elizabeth, said Shin Min Daily News.

The couple's first child had been expected on Thursday, said Lianhe Wanbao. Peh wanted a natural childbirth and when the baby did not arrive, her doctor advised her to go home, rest and wait for two to three days, said the report.

On Thursday night, Qi got news that Peh's contractions had started, after going on radio to promote his movie 1965, said Shin Min. The couple checked into the hospital together.

He held her hand during the birth, which was filmed by a female friend, said Shin Min.

Peh, 32, and Qi, 38, married in September last year, after dating for more than a year. They had been colleagues and buddies for 10 years before they announced their romance in April 2013.

It was weeks after she said she had split up with DJ Bobby Tonelli.

Qi said then: "Sometimes, you break up with someone and walk out the door, and in the lift, you bump into Mr Right. Cannot meh?"

At press time, Peh's company, MediaCorp, said the couple could not be reached.