Third child for Cerys Matthews

Welsh singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews is pregnant with her third child at the age of 40. Photo / Supplied

Former Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews, 40, is expecting a baby with her boyfriend-and-manager Steve Abbott.

Cerys kept the news a secret until she was given the all-clear from doctors following concerns there could be complications with the pregnancy because of her age.

A friend said: "Cerys and Steve are delighted - they could not be happier. They wanted to keep the situation under wraps until they were certain everything was going smoothly.

"It has been a great year for Cerys. Her career has gone from strength to strength - but this news tops it all."

The couple broke the happy news to their friends and family last week.
Cerys has been dating Steve - who has two kids with his ex-wife Deborah - since February.

The Welsh singer already has two children - Glenys Pearl y-Felin, five, and Johnny Tupelo Jones, three - with her ex-husband, American music producer Seth Riddle.

Although Cerys currently lives in London, it is believed she wants the baby to have a strong connection to her native country.

The pal added: "Cerys' Welsh roots are very important to her and she will definitely want the baby to spend time in Wales. She may even end up sending the child to the same Welsh school in London that her other children go to.

"Cerys will probably give her newborn a Welsh name like her other kids."

- BANG! SHOWBIZ