Pregnancy joy for Natalie

Natalie Cassidy is pregnant with her first child.

The 'EastEnders' star – who has been dating her 30-year-old boyfriend Adam Cottrell ever since they met at the Isle of Wight music festival nine months ago – has revealed they are expecting a child together in September and hope to go on to have a whole "football team".

She said: "We both want a lot of kids – but you should only have as many as you can afford. A football team! I don't think you should have children unless you realise that a baby has to be fed, clothed, educated and supported for a very long time. I want our children to have all their needs met.

"I just hope it doesn't want to be a grand prix racer! But I definitely want to have a couple by the time I'm 30. I didn't want to be an older mum."

While she can’t wait for motherhood, the 26-year-old actress – who is 12 weeks pregnant and doesn't know the sex of her baby – is also keen to be engaged to transport boss Adam before she gives birth.

She told OK! magazine: "I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Adam will propose to me before the baby is born! The baby was conceived over Christmas, which is the loveliest Christmas gift ever. I came off my contraception in November but I never thought I'd get pregnant that quickly!"

Natalie also admitted she thought her 'EastEnders' co-star Wendy Richards - who passed away in 2008 after losing her battle against cancer - was watching down on her and would have been excited about the news.

She said: "Since Wendy passed away so many lovely things have happened in my life. It does feel like I'm being looked after from above. But I never thought I was going to find someone that quickly. I wasn't looking for love."