The couple sparked pregnancy rumours on Wednesday night when the model appeared on the red carpet at the European premiere of The Dark Knight Rises with her director boyfriend sporting a bump under her dress.

A spokesman for the Sherlock Holmes filmmaker has now confirmed the happy news in a statement which said: "Guy Ritchie and Jacqui Ainsley are thrilled to confirm they are expecting their second child together later this year."

Ritchie, 43, and Ainsley, 30, already have a 10-month-old son Raphael together.

This will be the director's fourth child. He has an 11-year-old son Rocco and adopted son David, six, with his ex-wife Madonna.

Just last month, Ainsley revealed she and Ritchie were keen to have another child and admitted they both dreamed of having a "big family".

She said: "I'd love more children. Guy and I have always wanted a big family. It's something we planned all along."

Ainsley also revealed she is close to Rocco and David, saying: "This is the first time I've been a biological mother but we've got the two big boys and they absolutely dote on Raph. They're always dancing with him and wanting to play with him."