He's a 100% gem. He's the loveliest guy ever

Nicole Appleton on Liam Gallagher

Appleton, 25, who is two months pregnant, said she was looking forward to becoming a mother: "I'm cool. I've only known about it for a short time."

The couple have been together for five months since Gallagher split from his former wife Patsy Kensit, with whom he has a son, Lennon.

Speaking at the home of his mother, Peggy, in Burnage, Manchester, the Oasis singer said Appleton broke the news while the couple were in Stockholm for the MTV Europe awards this week.

No wedding bells

"We don't care whether it's a boy or a girl," he said.

"It's in the lap of the gods now. It's just great and we are really thrilled."

Appleton confirmed the news on Saturday

Appleton said from outside her north London home that she would not take any time off work as she was "not sick".

Asked about speculation that he and Nicole might be planning to wed, Gallagher said: "No, we are not getting married - one thing at a time.

"The future? I haven't got a clue. We are having a baby and that's all everyone needs to know for now."

But Appleton appears more sure of the direction she wants to take the relationship in.

She said recently: "I'd like this to be the big one, I really would. Liam and I get on really well.

"He's a 100% gem. He's the loveliest guy ever."

Gallagher, who formed chart-topping band Oasis with his brother Noel, has built up a reputation as a wildman of rock.

His ex-wife blamed her husband's affairs for the breakdown of their three-year marriage.

Patsy Kensit and Liam Gallagher have just divorced

Their divorce was finalised in September, reportedly soon before Gallagher and Appleton's child was conceived.

Appleton's highest profile previous relationship was with pop star and ex-Take That member Robbie Williams.

They began dating in 1998 and got engaged before finally splitting in January last year after a stormy 18 months.

Williams and Gallagher have developed a high-profile rivalry, trading insults on and off stage.

Most recently at the Q Awards in London, Gallagher reportedly hurled abuse at his girlfriend's ex-lover while Williams hit back with derogatory remarks at one of his concerts.