Nicole Kidman reveals that she is pregnant

Nicole Kidman, the Oscar-winning star of The Hours and Moulin Rouge, is expecting a baby, it has been disclosed.

The actress, 40, and Keith Urban, her husband of 18 months, reportedly broke the news to their families over the Christmas period.

The baby, whose expected arrival date has not been announced, would be Kidman's first by birth, though the actress, who is winning rave reviews for her role as the evil Mrs Coulter in The Golden Compass, adopted two children during her first marriage to fellow Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

Kidman, who has refused to discuss her break up from Cruise in any depth, recently revealed she had suffered an ectopic pregnancy and a miscarriage during their 10-year marriage.

Life with Urban, 40, a New Zealand-born country and western singer, has also not been without its difficulties.

The singer checked himself into rehab for alcohol abuse less than four months after the wedding. Kidman admits that it has put a strain on the relationship but says the problems are now under control.

The Australian actress, who lives in Sydney, has been gradually winding down her commitments to spend more time with Urban and her adopted children Isabella, 14, and Conor, 12.

Via telegraph.co.uk