'Paparazzo is Anna Nicole baby's father'

Former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith and celebrity photojournalist Larry Birkhead are reportedly expecting a baby girl.

Birkhead has confirmed the pregnancy, telling website TMZ.com: "I have been told that I am expecting a child. I have seen the ultrasound and have spoken to doctors.

"I am very excited about the possibility of becoming a father."

Birkhead had recently slammed rumours that Smith was pregnant, but insisted yesterday he was pressured into making the denial.

He said: "I've been asked in the past by Howard K Stern (Smith's lawyer) to deny the rumour."

Stern hit back at Birkhead telling website TMZ.com: "Anna wants that guy completely out of her life and obviously he is having trouble dealing with it.

"You'll be able to find out soon enough (if she's pregnant)."

A source says Stern may have been denying the rumours because Smith wanted to make an official announcement herself.

Birkhead claims he went public with the information after Stern slammed him in the media.

He added: "Howard needs to get past his own jealousy about the relationship between myself and his only client."

Smith, who is reportedly five months along, is still fighting her late husband J Howard Marshall's family in court for a $400m (€312.4m) share of his $1.5bn (€1.2bn) estate.