Pitt skips film launch for "imminent" baby

Brad Pitt has missed a launch at Cannes film festival - revealing to fans that the birth of his baby is "imminent".

The star had to skip the world premiere of Babel, but instead sent an email to be read out in his absence. He paid tribute to the Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, who directed the movie, and his co-stars.

"With the imminent arrival of the newest addition to our family I'm unable to join Alejandro, Cate, and Gael Garcia Bernal and the rest of the cast and crew in introducing the film," he said. "I am tremendously proud of Babel and want to congratulate everyone involved in this great achievement."

Meanwhile, a South African photographer arrested in Namibia while trying to take pictures of Pitt and Angelina Jolie has been released. A judge dismissed the case against Johan Liebenberg.

The photographer – who could have faced jail – said police wanted to use him as a warning to others. "They probably wanted to make an example of me to the other so-called nasty paparazzi press," he commented. "But we have been very respectful."