Ananova:

Singer Sophie Ellis Bextor has given birth to a boy named Sonny - eight weeks early.

The 25-year-old underwent a Caesarean section after being diagnosed with the potentially life-threatening condition pre-eclampsia.

A spokesman for the singer said both mother and baby were "doing well". However, Sonny, who was born at 28 weeks, must remain in hospital for the next few weeks.

Bextor and her partner Richard Jones were said to be "absolutely delighted" with their new arrival.

She fell pregnant only a month after she began dating musician Richard. The singer, whose hits include Murder on the Dancefloor and Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), her number one with Spiller, said the baby was planned.

"We talked about starting a family because we just knew it was right," she said recently.

"If the baby hadn't been planned we would have taken precautions. What caught us out was how quickly it happened. I've always wanted to be a mum, but I've got friends who have struggled to conceive.

"So I thought it might take a year or so for anything to happen. This sounds like a cliche but every baby is a little bit of a miracle. Ours has just come along quicker than expected. We love each other, we're devoted to one another and this baby will be surrounded by love."