Amanda Holden announces that she is expecting a girl

Amanda Holden lost a baby last year seven months into her pregnancy

Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden is pregnant with a baby girl and said she is "beyond thrilled".

The star, who said she and husband Chris Hughes were "delighted", will shorten her run in West End hit Shrek The Musical as a result.

The news comes just six months after the 40-year-old lost a boy, seven months into her pregnancy.

She said the past few months had been "unbelievably difficult" as they came to terms with their loss.

Amanda Holden has a daughter Lexi, who's five.

Announcing her new pregnancy, she said: "Chris and I are delighted to announce that I am pregnant and we are expecting a little girl.

"The first half of this year has been unbelievably difficult for us.

"We would like to thank everyone for their support, it has been so incredible and we really are beyond thrilled to share this news."

'Medical advice'

It's not known how far she is into the pregnancy but she has passed the three-month stage.

Amanda Holden, whose TV hits include Cutting It and Amanda Holden's Fantasy Lives, has been starring in Shrek as green-skinned Princess Fiona since early May.

She will step down from the show in October and is due to be replaced by Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh two months earlier than originally planned.

With regard to the show, the star said she would be putting "myself and this pregnancy first".

"I have taken medical advice and although I am a strong girl and this is 'once again' a good healthy pregnancy. I will absolutely not be taking any risks."

Her friend Piers Morgan, formerly a colleague on the Britain's Got Talent judging panel, said the pregnancy was "fabulous news".

And former Spice Girl Emma Bunton sent a message on Twitter saying: "Amazing news, so excited for you."