Former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks expecting first baby

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and her racehorse trainer husband Charlie are expecting their first baby.

The couple will welcome the child - to whom they are biological parents - through a surrogate in February 2012.

In a statement released on Thursday evening (November 17), Brooks's spokesperson David Wilson said: "Charlie and Rebekah are overjoyed. While the pregnancy has not been without its difficulties and sadness, Charlie and Rebekah are obviously hoping for a very happy ending to almost five years of trying to conceive themselves.

"Both parents are acutely aware of the infertility problems encountered by many other couples, and in the longer term hope to recognise their own good fortune by working in some way to help others facing similar challenges."

The child, a girl, was originally one of twins, but one of the children died in the early stages of pregnancy.

The surrogate mother has not been named, and has expressed a wish to remain anonymous.

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