Nicole Richie denies pregnancy rumours

Nicole Richie has denied widespread rumours that she is expecting a third child with husband Joel Madden.

Richie, who wed Madden in December last year, has slammed reports that suggested she was pregnant simply because of an apparent change in her body weight.

"Contrary to recent speculation I am not pregnant," Richie told Gossip Cop. "This irresponsible reporting continues to feed an atmosphere of self-doubt and insecurity.

"To publicly point out a change in anyone's body is mean-spirited and cruel," Richie continued. "People's bodies change and change again."

Richie was referring to a number of photographs which had circulated over the past week which led to claims that Richie had developed a so-called 'baby bump'.

Madden and Richie already have two children together, three-year-old daughter Harlow and one-year-old son Sparrow.