12 FEBRUARY 2003
Jennifer Connelly and her Beautiful Mind co-star Paul Bettany are expecting their first baby. The two actors, who first met on the set of the Oscar-winning film, are said to be "ecstatic" at the news.

Her performance in the film seems to have brought Jennifer a run of good fortune, including an Oscar for her portrayal of Alicia Nash, wife of renowned mathematician John Nash. London-born Paul was also applauded for his role as an imaginary friend of the Nobel Prize winner.

The couple married over the New Year break in a private ceremony in Scotland attended only by family and close friends. Jennifer already has a five-year-old son, Kai, from a previous relationship with photographer David Dugan, while Paul becomes a dad for the first time.

It looks set be a busy year for both actors, with several movies in the pipeline and a new baby on the way. Jennifer is starring opposite Chopper star Eric Bana in Ang Lee's likely summer blockbuster The Hulk while Paul is working on Dogville, a historical drama starring Nicole Kidman. And once that is wrapped, the 31-year-old moves straight onto Master And Commander which will see him teaming up with Beautiful Mind star Russell Crowe once again.