At 38 Robbie Williams is expecting a baby with wife Ayda

Robbie Williams has announced that he is to become a father for the first time.

In a typically comical announcement posted today on his website, the singer, 38, revealed that his wife Ayda Field, 32, is pregnant.

He wrote: 'Hey friendlies, I've been keeping a secret from you all. Me and Ayda are going to be a Mummy and Daddy this year!!!!!!!!

'We've seen scans and cried... looked at babies in commercials and teared up... the nursery is already planned.

'Basically I'm in love with a little person growing in mummy's belly... and can't wait to be a daddy. Crying now.

'Much love, much joy. Roberto, Mum and Little Bump. xxx'

The exciting news caused such a large number of fans flock to see Williams' announcement that the site temporarily crashed.He added: 'We had sex! It works

Robbie and Ayda married at their Los Angeles home in August 2010, after a four-year relationship.

The couple played coy with the media over reports the status of their relationship, with Robbie often confusing reporters by referring to Field as his 'wife' in interviews.

The Angels singer even proposed to his girlfriend live on an Australian radio programme. The stunt was laughed off a joke by Williams' spokesperson, but the pair married just seven months later.

Ayda said shortly after their wedding that she couldn't wait to have kids, but, according to the Daily Mirror at the time, jokingly added: 'I hope they are not minging.

'Some people at my school had the ugliest parents, and they came out pretty. I hope ours gets all the best bits, but it’s pot luck who gets the minging ones. Hmmm, I’ll love them any way, I guess.'