Mel Gibson has confirmed that his Russian girlfriend is pregnant with his child. The 53-year-old actor, who is divorcing his wife Robyn, is to become a father for the eighth time.

Father: Mel Gibson is expecting a child with girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva

Asked about the rumour that Oksana Grigorieva, 39, was pregnant, Gibson told Tonight Show host Jay Leno: “This is true. I guess I'm Octo-Mel.”

Asked about the baby's gender, Gibson said: “A human being, I think.” The child will be Ms Grigorieva's second — she has a teenage son with former James Bond actor Timothy Dalton.

The news comes a month after Gibson and Grigorieva went public with their relationship.

The Lethal Weapon star already has seven children, aged from 10 to 26, with Robyn, who filed for divorce last month after 28 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences”.

Under Californian law she can expect to be win half of Gibson's estimated $900 million (£605 million) fortune.

Gibson spoke to Leno about the marriage breakdown He said: “Our marriage ended three years ago. These things happen. It's unfortunate, it's sad, but you know she is an admirable woman — we've still got kids together. We're friends.

“Look, when it's all said and done, I did a pretty good hatchet job on my marriage myself. I'm to blame. If you're inclined to judge, put it here.”