Ex-soap actress pregnant

Jennifer Ellison is expecting, as is Celine Dion following IVFÂ…

11:38 19 August 2009

Former Brookside actress Jennifer Ellison is pregnant with her first child.

The star confirmed that she is pregnant with fianc Robbie Tickle, after weeks of rumours.

Semi-pro boxer Tickle has eight-year-old twin daughters from a previous relationship.

The couple began dating in April 2008 and became engaged during a holiday in the Maldives last October. Their plans to wed were put on hold when Ellison discovered she was pregnant.

Ellison, who also won The Hell's Kitchen show, revealed: "Before I was pregnant, I was just under 10 stone and I'm still just under that. With not drinking and eating healthily, it's come off my legs and bum.

"I'd love a natural birth without pain relief. Rob wants to be really hands-on and see his baby being born - I want him to too."

In similar news, singer Celine Dion has confirmed that she is pregnant with her second child.

The Canadian singer, 41, and her husband Rene Angelil, 67, are already parents to eight-year-old son Rene-Charles. Angelil has three other children from his previous marriages.

Dion's spokesperson stated: "We can confirm she is pregnant", adding that the singer and her husband are "very happy."

The 'My Heart Will Go On' singer had planned to fall pregnant following her run of shows in Las Vegas.

However, Angelil's battle with cancer cast doubt over the couple's chances at having any more children of their own.

She said: "We'll give it a try after my tour. Hopefully we will be parents again. If not, that's fine. We have our miracle baby."

Dion fell pregnant after having IVF treatment following six years of attempting to conceive.