Princess for Tom and Katie

Tom Cruise today declared his newborn daughter "gorgeous" - and fiancée Katie Holmes an "absolute champ".

The Hollywood star was speaking hours after the birth of his daughter, whom he and Holmes have called Suri, which is Hebrew for princess and Persian for red rose. What the couple probably didn't realise is that the word "suri" also translates as pickpocket in Japanese.

Cruise, 43, told US celebrity TV host Diane Sawyer: "It's a girl! Her name is Suri and she's gorgeous - Kate was and is an absolute champ."

He excitedly emailed friends to tell them the news after the birth in a Santa Monica hospital yesterday.

According to reports Holmes, 27, shunned the Scientology diktat that no drugs be used, opting for an epidural. The birth had been the centre of much de b at e because of Cruise's commitmentto Scientology beliefs. The couple are said to have returned to their Beverly Hills home with their daughter.

Dawson's Creek actress Holmes gave birth yesterday afternoon local time - just before midnight in the UK.

In a statement the couple said they "joyously welcomed the arrival of a baby girl, Suri", adding: "The child weighed 7lb7oz and was 20 inches in length. Mother and baby are doing well."

Cruise had talked about how Holmes would follow the "silent" birth method which encourages as little noise around the newborn as possible. He also said he would like to eat the placenta, though he later insisted he had been joking.

Cruise's ex-wife Nicole Kidman today added her congratulations, saying: "I hope both mother and baby are doing well." She and Cruise, who split in 2001 after 10 years, adopted two children, Isabella, 13, and Connor, 11.

Cruise and Holmes began dating early last year. Cruise was said to have contacted Holmes shortly after her fiveyear relationship with American Pie star Chris Klein ended. Only months before, Holmes had said in a magazine interview: "I think every little girl dreams about (her wedding). I used to think I was going to marry Tom Cruise."