John Travolta and Kelly Preston expecting a baby

John Travolta and Kelly Preston married in 1991

John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston are expecting a baby, the star's publicist has confirmed.

The couple released a statement on their personal websites earlier this week, saying they were "expecting a new addition to our family."

Travolta's publicist, Paul Bloch, has now confirmed that Preston, 47, is pregnant.

The couple, who married in 1991, have a 10-year-old daughter named Ella. Their 16-year-old son Jett died in the Bahamas last year.

Jett, who had Kawasaki disease, which causes inflammation of the blood vessels in young children, suffered a fatal seizure at the family's holiday home.

A man and a woman are on trial, accused of trying to extort money from the Hollywood star after the death.

Writing on his website on Tuesday, Travolta said: "It's impossible to keep a secret... especially one as wonderful as this.

"We want to be the first to share this great news that we are expecting a new addition to our family."

His statement was released on the same day as it was revealed the family's two pet dogs had been killed in an accident at Bangor International Airport in Maine.