(stuff.co.nz) - Pop starlet Lily Allen's followup to her smash-hit first album, Alright, Still, is set to be delayed because of her pregnancy.
The Smile singer - who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend, Chemical Brothers star Ed Simons - shocked studio bosses with her pregnancy news and they have accepted her LP probably won't be finished by the spring deadline.
A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Lily's pregnancy is a shock.
It is not great timing. She has been working hard on her new album, but she still has a long way to go on it. The tracks are all in the very early stages.
"The plan was for her to be in the studio early next year, then spend time promoting the LP. Now she is pregnant, priorities have changed. Nobody wants Lily to put her health at risk or substitute time with her partner and baby for work. She wants to bring the album out before she gives birth, but that doesn't seem realistic.
"The best thing would be to put the album on hold. Her record company will support her all the way."
When Lily's pregnancy was confirmed on Wednesday, her representative insisted her career would continue as planned.
Her spokesman said: "I am pleased to confirm that Lily Allen and her boyfriend, Ed Simons, are expecting their first child.
"However, as the pregnancy is at a very, very early stage, the couple ask that you respect their privacy, as the health of Lily and their child is their paramount concern.
"Lily's new album will be released as planned next year."
Meanwhile, Lily sparked marriage rumours after she was seen sporting a gold ring on her engagement finger.
The 22-year-old singer, who has been dating Ed since September, laughed and joked with friends as she did some last-minute Christmas shopping in London.
Ed has previously insisted he has no plans to tie the knot with Lily.