SHARING THEIR BABY NEWS NATALIE AND ZAFAR RUSHDIE TELL HOW EXPECTING THEIR SECOND CHILD HAS BROUGHT MUCH-NEEDED COMFORT AND JOY

Surrounded by festive sparkle, Natalie and Zafar Rushdie. The couple are thrilled to announce they are expecting their second child and the news has brought some much-needed joy to their family after a tough time.

- EMILY HORAN

"It feels like a new chapter for us," says Zafar, when HELLO! joins him and jazz singer Natalie for an exclusive photoshoot and interview at London's Lanesborough hotel.

Adding to their joy, the couple are expecting another girl - a little sister for their three-year-old Rose and she's due to arrive next April.

"It's nice to have a positive lovely thing to look forward to," Natalie says. "The whole family have couple of years."

BRINGING JOY TO THE FAMILY

Indeed, her pregnancy signifies light after a dark period. In August 2022, Zafar's father, Booker Prizewinning writer Sir Salman Rushdie, was left severely injured by an attack in New York, months after Natalie had become critically ill with Covid, as well as sadly losing her father.

"The whole family is really excited to welcome another baby," says Zafar, 44, the founder of PR and events company The Green Room, with a smile.

"[Salman] was so shocked when we told him. He said: 'This is wonderful news," Natalie, 37, whose glittering career has seen her perform at venues from Wembley Stadium to the Royal Albert Hall.

Another person delighted by the revelation was Rose, with her proud mum telling us the "funny and sassy" little girl is "really excited that she's getting a sister".

"She watches Frozen a lot so her understanding of what it's like to have a sister comes from Princess Elsa and Princess Anna," she adds.

Natalie grew up with two sisters and tells us: "I've always dreamt of having two girls. That sisterly bond is unbreakable and so important."

"We've definitely got girl energy in our house, which I think is very different from when you have boys running around," says Zafar.

As with her pregnancy with Rose, Natalie suffered from bad morning sickness in the first 12 weeks, causing her to lose 16lb.