Early baby joy for Matthews

Singer Cerys Matthews has given birth to a boy eight weeks earlier than expected, she announced today.

The 40-year-old former Catatonia star and her newborn son are both “doing very well”.

News of the premature birth was revealed through the singer-songwriter’s official website.

A “message from Cerys” goes on to say: “How happy I am to let you know that our baby boy was born on Monday 23rd, eight weeks earlier than expected.

“We are doing very well and excited now to share this happy news with you.”

She adds: “What an amazing surprise, just after presenting Children In Need on Friday! Love always, Cerys and Steve.”

The baby boy, who has not yet been named, is the first child for the singer and her partner and manager Steve Abbott.

She already has two children, a boy and a girl, with her former husband Seth Riddle, an American music producer.

The Welsh-born singer’s website also carries pictures of her co-presenting Children In Need at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Friday.