Matthew Followill to become a father

Matthew Followill is to become a father.

The Kings of Leon guitarist's wife Johanna Bennett is more than six months pregnant with their first child, friends have confirmed.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Although Jo and Matt haven't made any announcement it's well known among her friends that they're having a child.

"They are both absolutely thrilled and can't wait to become a proper family. They don't know what they're having but don't mind either way."

Matthew's bandmates, his cousins Caleb, Jared and Nathan Followill, are thrilled for the couple.

The source added: "The rest of the band are just as happy as they are and are looking forward to meeting the new arrival as he or she will be the first Kings of Leon baby."

Though Johanna's exact due date isn't known, it is expected the baby will be born around the time the American rockers return to the British stage, when they play Ireland's Slane Castle in May and the Isle of Wight festival a few weeks later.

Matthew and British-born Johanna - who has previously dated Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner - married in November 2009, two years after they first started dating.