Oscar-winning actress
Nicole Kidman will take a step back from movie-making this year after announcing that she is pregnant.
The Australian film star ended weeks of speculation, releasing a statement confirming she and husband Keith Urban are expecting their first child together.
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"Nicole Kidman and
Keith Urban confirmed today that they are expecting a baby," Kidman's publicist Wendy Day said in a statement.
"The couple are thrilled."
Pregnancy rumours have been circulating for some time, with scores of paparazzi photos focused on her "baby bump".
Ms Day said she learned only on Tuesday morning that the 40-year-old actress was expecting.
"I personally didn't know, so I'm excited today, very excited," Ms Day told AAP.
"For years I've seen speculation, and for years it's never been right, so I didn't think it was right this time.
"And then she's just rung this morning."
It is understood the star couple enjoyed lunch together at Lucio's Italian restaurant in the inner Sydney suburb of Paddington just hours after making the news public.
The pair have been relaxing with friends and family in Sydney over Christmas, after Kidman finished work on Baz Luhrmann's epic film Australia on December 21.
Ms Day said Kidman had announced her pregnancy after withdrawing from her next planned film project, the Stephen Daldry-directed post-World War II drama, The Reader, which was due to begin shooting this month.
The New York Post reported Kidman, who has suffered a miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy in the past, quit the film because she was "so concerned about the welfare of her unborn child".
"I understand she's had to withdraw from the film and therefore she's had to give them the reason, and therefore she's now able to confirm that she's pregnant," Ms Day said.
"I don't know how far pregnant she is, or when the baby's due.
"She just simply rang me and said, 'Wendy, I always told you I would tell you first, and I'd confirm it and you could make the appropriate announcement.'
"So I guess that statement ends all the rumours and... I guess the poor girl will be hounded by paparazzi and all that."
A pack of media was camped outside Kidman's Darling Point residence in Sydney's eastern suburbs, as flowers were delivered to the expectant parents.
Kidman and country singer Urban met in Los Angeles at a G'Day LA event honouring Australians in January 2005, and married in Manly, on Sydney's northern beaches, 18 months later.
It was Kidman's second marriage. Her first, to fellow Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, broke down in 2001.
During their 10-year union, Kidman and Cruise adopted two children, daughter Isabella, now 14, and son Connor, 12.
The children live with Cruise and his new wife, actress Katie Holmes.
Kidman has said she had an ectopic pregnancy at the beginning of her marriage to Cruise and suffered a miscarriage at the time the couple split.
Nicole's mother, a clearly thrilled Janelle Kidman, hinted that the baby may arrive around Nicole's 41st birthday.
"I think it's in July," Mrs Kidman told the Seven Network, adding that she and husband Antony were excited about the news.
And in Queensland, Urban's father Bob also welcomed the news.
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