Howard Donald is set to become a father for the third time.

The Take That star has announced he and wife Katie Halil are expecting their first child together early next year.

The British heartthrob shared his joy with fans on Twitter today (24.08.15), writing: ''I have some amazing news to share with you all..... Katie and I are having a baby! so proud of my beautiful wife and can't wait for the newest member of our family to arrive.''

He later added: ''Thankyou for all your wonderful messages. The baby is due early jan. Boy or girl? Guesses on a postcard plse (sic)''

A source close to the couple, who got married last January, also told The Sun newspaper: ''They're both chuffed.''

The 47-year-old singer already has two daughters, Grace, 16, and Lola, 10, from previous relationships.

News that the pair are set to become parents comes just eight months after they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in front of a small number of guests, including Mark Owen, Gary Barlow and Jason Orange.

The 'Rule the World' hitmaker recently admitted they were thinking about having a baby.

He told Jonathan Ross: ''I think that's inevitable. I've already got two children, but it'll happen.''

The couple met while Take That were filming Marks & Spencer Christmas TV advert in 2008, but only started dating in 2010.