Charlotte Church is expecting a baby with her rugby-playing boyfriend Gavin Henson, it has been announced.

The singer, who has just celebrated her 21st birthday, said she and her 25-year-old boyfriend were "delighted" to discover they will become parents.

She said she had been determined to wait until after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy - the period in which women are most likely to miscarry - before making the announcement.

But a message on her website stated: "Due to recent speculation Charlotte felt she had no choice other than to go public."

It added: 'For reasons of privacy Charlotte has chosen not to comment on this matter, other than to confirm that she and her boyfriend Gavin Henson are delighted."

More here... • Charlotte Church statement on her pregnancy in full • Gallery: Charlotte Church's life so far

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Expecting their first child: Charlotte Church and Gavin Henson

Rumours that the dedicated partygoer was expecting began when she held an unusually sedate birthday party and gave up smoking.

To mask her pregnancy, she claimed she was reluctantly having a quiet celebration.

She told fans: "For my birthday I went out with my girls for a picnic during the day then went round to my nan's for a family get together.

"Tonight I'm going out for dinner with my mum and she's spending £200 on a night out which goes a long way in Cardiff - although it's a bit tight considering it's my 21st."

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It is not known whether the couple planned the pregnancy and whether they intend to marry.

Miss Church recently hinted how much she wanted to start a family with Mr Henson. She said of their two-year relationship: "We are so happy. I would like to have his children. I love him and he's the one."

The pair, who met in March 2005, share a £1.1million home in Cardiff.

A friend said : "I think they will make good parents and this will be good for Charlotte. She is more mature now and her partying days are in the past."

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