Mel C's pregnancy delight

Mel C confirms pregnancy

Former Spice Girl Melanie Chisholm has confirmed she is pregnant.

The 34-year-old singer is "happy" to reveal she is expecting her first baby with her partner of six years, property developer Thomas Starr.

She wrote on her website today (22.08.08): "Some happy news. Well, I can now announce that Tom and I are expecting a baby and we are very happy.

"As I'm sure you'll understand we needed time to wait for results and tell our families."

Mel also revealed she will be taking a break from her solo music career to prepare for motherhood.

She added: "I will be taking it easy but am also excited to start writing for the fifth album. I will need to take some time off to be a parent but, before you know it, we'll be back."

The other members of the girl band - Geri Halliwell, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton and Melanie Brown - have all expressed their delight and offered to help out with the new baby.

A source said: "The girls are so pleased for her and have said they're only a phone call away to pass on any parenting tips."

Mel sparked pregnancy rumours last week when she was seen wearing a floaty dress and what looked like a baby bump.

Mel's baby will be the eighth child born to the Spice Girls.

Geri has a two-year-old daughter, Bluebell, while Victoria has three sons, Brooklyn, nine, Romeo, five, and Cruz, three. Mel B has two girls, Phoenix Chi, nine, and Angel Iris, 16 months, while Emma has a son, Beau Lee.