Madonna ‘expecting third child’

Pop superstar Madonna is expecting her third child, her father has revealed.

The 43-year-old singer’s father Tony Ciccone said he was delighted she was pregnant again.

‘‘I don’t know if Madonna’s child is a boy or a girl yet, we just want it to be healthy,’’ he said. ‘‘We were delighted when we heard but I can’t speak about it.’’

The baby would be Madonna’s second child with her husband, 33-year-old British film director Guy Ritchie.

The couple already have a 17-month-old son Rocco. Madonna also has a five-year old daughter Lourdes from her relationship with fitness trainer Carlos Leon.

Ritchie has described fatherhood as the most exciting experience of his life.

Madonna has denied reports of a pregnancy which started after she was seen encouraging Rocco to pat her stomach on a shopping trip in Beverly Hills a few weeks ago.

The star has cut back her schedule recently and cancelled a twice-weekly matinee performance of her play Up For Grabs at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre.