Nicole Kidman and her husband of 18 months have confirmed they are expecting their first child - as exclusively revealed in the Daily Mail last month.

The Oscar-winning actress and her husband, country and western singer Keith Urban, are said to be "thrilled" at the news of their impending arrival.

Nicole's publicist Wendy Day said last night: "The couple are thrilled".

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Blooming: Nicole Kidman out to lunch in Sydney today

The pair first broke the news of the pregnancy to their families over the Christmas holidays. The child is expected to be born in the summer.

Last month, Nicole said the "gathering of the clans" would be the first time all of her family had met the Urbans, who travelled to Australia from Nashville,Tennessee as well as other parts of America.

During the get together in Sydney, both families celebrated by enjoying a traditional Christmas meal.

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Thrilled: Nicole with proud father-to-be husband Keith Urban. The country singer Urban said they were both very happy

Following the festive dinner, the couple informed the gathering they had some very special news to tell them.

The 40-year-old had already spoken of "winding" down her film-making activities as much as possible next year.

"I just want to spend as much time as possible with my husband so there are no films planned apart from The Reader early in January", Ms Kidman told the Daily Mail recently, referring to a film she'll make with British director Stephen Daldry and Ralph Fiennes in Berlin.

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Overjoyed: The couple earlier this week

However, today it was revealed Nicole had withdrawn from the project because of the pregnancy.

Just before Christmas she finished filming Baz Lurhmann's epic romantic adventure film "Australia".

Previously she had talked of not pursuing offers of returning to the stage next year.

"It wouldn't fit in with the logistics and dynamics of my family", she said at the time.

Nicole married Urban during a ceremony in Sydney in June, 2006.

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In love: Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban at their 2006 wedding

The early months of the marriage were described as being difficult as the actress helped Urban deal with a heavy drink problem.

The singer - the Australian actresses' second husband - spent several months in a rehabilitation clinic in America where he was treated for alcohol dependency.

First time round she married Tom Cruise who stunned her by filing for divorce in 2001.

Shortly after the split there were stories of Nicole having miscarried Cruise's child .

While with Cruise, the couple adopted two children, Isabella 14, and 12-year-old Conor.

Family time: Nicole with her two adopted children Isabella and Connor