Laurie Brett pregnant

Laurie Brett is pregnant.

The 40-year-old 'EastEnders' actress - who has been with partner John Milroy since 2009 - is believed to be due to give birth to her first child in April, with her growing baby bump providing a headache for show chiefs as her character Jane Beale is unable to conceive.

A source said: "Laurie's over the moon. Many of her plot lines centre on Jane's desire for kids. But after she was shot in the stomach by her husband Ian's stepson Steven, that won't happen naturally."

As a pregnancy can't be written into the programme for café worker Jane - who is married to Ian Beale (Adam Woodyat) - writers and directors are coming up with creative ways to hide Laurie's changing shape.

The insider explained to the News of the World newspaper: "It's going to be tricky to hide Laurie's bump.

"We'll no doubt see her hiding behind carefully placed piles of cakes and sandwiches in the cafe for the next few months."