Kate is expecting

Kate Winslett and her new husband Sam Mendes have revealed that they are expecting their first child early next year.

The couple are said to be "euphoric" at the news and it is believed that Winslet was pregnant when they secretly married on the Caribbean Island of Anguilla in May, though she did not find out until later.

It will be the second child for the Titanic star, whose daughter Mia was born two and a half years ago during her brief marriage to Jim Threapleton.

A spokesman for the couple, who are on holiday in Tuscany, told the Daily Mail: "They are absolutely delighted. Kate and Sam have been desperate to have a child together."

The 27-year-old actress told friends she feels fantastic, though she did suffer from morning sickness for a while.

She and American Beauty director Mendes, 37, were secretly engaged for a year before they married and even kept the wedding secret from their three guests - who had thought they were joining them for a holiday.

Last year the couple paid £3.3 million for 14th-century Westcote Manor, three miles from Stow-on-the-Wold in Gloucestershire.

Winslet has turned down some major roles for several weeks. The opening of her latest film, Neverland, which was scheduled for later this year, has been delayed until next spring.