Dannii Minogue gives birth

The Aussie popstar delivered a baby boy in Melbourne...

13:25 07 July 2010

Popstar Dannii Minogue has given birth to a baby boy.

The X Factor judge and boyfriend Kris Smith welcomed Ethan Edward Smith in a Melbourne hospital on Monday.

Dannii's spokesman, Simon Jones, said: "Kris Smith and Dannii Minogue are thrilled to announce the arrival of Ethan Edward Smith on July 5.

"Mother and baby are doing well and dad is very proud. They request their privacy at this special time to adjust as new parents."

The proud father wrote on his page: "On behalf of the three of us I would like to thank you all for your kind words and best wishes. It means a lot to us."

Just before going into labour, Dannii, 38, had also been writing on her page, saying she was looking forward to resuming her judging duties on X Factor when she returns from maternity leave in the autumn.

She wrote: "Looking forward to catching up on X Factor auditions. Can’t wait to see Simon, Cheryl and Louis again soon – miss them very much."

The former 'Home and Away' Aussie star is expected to return to the panel later this year for the judges' homes stage.

Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger is currently standing in, on the judging panel for X Factor auditions, other stand-ins have included Katy Perry, Pixie Lott, Natalie Imbruglia and Geri Halliwell.

Meanwhile, fellow judge Cheryl Cole is absent from auditions because she is being treated in hospital for Malaria.