British pop star Sophie Ellis Bextor has become a mum - after giving birth to a son two months early.

The SHOOT FROM THE HIP singer, 25, has had son SONNY two months prematurely after an emergency caesarean was performed at the CHELSEA AND WESTMINSTER HOSPITAL in London.

A spokesman for Ellis Bextor says, "Mother and baby are doing well although the baby will remain in hospital for a few weeks.

Sophie and her partner Richard Jones are delighted."

Ellis Bextor was suffering from the life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia - caused by a defect in the placenta which restricts blood flow to the baby.

A source adds, "Thankfully Sophie and the baby are fine. She won't be able to take him home for a few weeks but her priority now is for him to be healthy. The speed with which she had the caesarean shows how serious the situation was."

25/04/2004 12:41