Photographers seek glimpse of mum-to-be Liz
Photographers were out in force today hoping for a first glimpse of Liz Hurley since she ended weeks of speculation by revealing she is pregnant with her first child.
The 36-year-old actress and model announced last night she is expecting a baby in April with her boyfriend, movie producer Stephen Bing.
This morning the media was out in force at her central London home in anticipation of an appearance by one of the world’s most photographed women.
Her pregnancy was announced in a brief statement. It said: ‘‘Elizabeth Hurley is delighted to confirm that she is expecting a baby in April and Stephen Bing is the father.’’
The announcement brings to an end weeks of rumours that the star was expecting.
She had been pictured recently with a fuller-than-usual figure and wearing baggy clothes. Celebrity watchers also noted that the ever-present cigarette had disappeared from the star’s lips.
Initially the former Estee Lauder model dismissed the rumours.
But the star, who is currently in the UK, was said last night to be ‘‘absolutely thrilled’’ over the news and looking forward to the birth immensely.
Hurley and Bing started dating after she split from Four Weddings And A Funeral star Hugh Grant last year.
Bing, 35, is estimated to be worth around £400m and owns a villa in the exclusive Los Angeles district of Bel Air.
Hurley became the darling of the tabloids when she wore a revealing ‘‘safety pin’’ Versace creation - later dubbed ‘‘that dress’’ - to the premiere of Hugh Grant’s film, Four Weddings And A Funeral.
She and Grant were often described as the golden couple of showbusiness, an image which took a knock in 1995 when Grant was arrested with an LA prostitute.
The relationship survived that incident but broke up last year after 13 years.
However, the couple have remained friends.
According to reports Hurley went for a pre-natal check-up at St John and St Elizabeth Hospital in St John’s Wood, north London, accompanied by Grant earlier this week. The two were reportedly seen on Tuesday going into the hospital’s maternity unit.
And it is understood the actor visited Hurley at her home in west London last night.
Soon after breaking up with Grant, Hurley began a relationship with Bing, the millionaire grandson of a New York real estate magnate.
Bing was famous for his playboy lifestyle and had been romantically linked to a number of Hollywood leading ladies, including Farrah Fawcett, Uma Thurman and Sharon Stone.
He has also worked as a screenwriter, producer and director on movies which include Married With Children, Sylvester Stallone’s Get Carter and Every Breath.
