Natalie's sister Nicole is expecting Liam Gallagher's baby

Appleton's spokesman said: "They are engaged and are both absolutely delighted.

"They will not be getting married until next year as they are both busy working on projects.

"The Appleton sisters are working on an album together but it is still in its very early stages."

The couple had a romantic holiday in France last summer and at All Saints' last public appearance in January, Appleton wore a T-shirt reading "I love Liam".

The news leaked out after her eight year-old daughter, who has a role in the new Tomb Raider film, told the movie's director about their engagement.

Saints 'on ice'

Appleton became a household name in 1997 after the success of All Saints' debut hit, I Know Where It's At.

But despite worldwide success, personal differences saw the group being put "on ice" earlier this year.

Sister and fellow All Saint Nicole Appleton is expecting a baby with Oasis singer Liam Gallagher.

Howlett is best known as the mastermind behind the Prodigy, who soared to fame on the back of the early 1990s rave scene.

By the late 1990s they had broken into the US charts with hits like Firestarter, and in 1999 Howlett released the acclaimed Dirtchamber Sessions mix album under the Prodigy banner.

A new single is expected out this summer, with an album to follow in 2002.