Sunday Mirror: JAMELIA: 'Baby number two won't hold me back'

R'n' B star Jamelia has surprised the public by announcing she's pregnant with her second child.

The baby wasn't planned, but has come as a 'welcome surprise', according to the 24-year-old.

The last time she fell pregnant aged 19 with daughter Teja, her unplanned bundle of joy signalled a year-long break for the Superstar singer. So the latest news begs the question - will her career suffer?

Jamelia insists not, saying, 'I've got a new album out next year, but my music career won't be affected by the baby.' Sources say she plans to carry on recording her third album as soon as possible after giving birth. 'The baby is due in October and the album is out in spring, so she'll be keen to get back to work as soon as she can,' says a friend.

The pregnancy also lays to rest any doubts over her relationship with Gillingham footballer Darren Byfield, 28. Initially, Jamelia refused to say they were anything more than just friends, and went out of her way to avoid being snapped with him - at the Bridget Jones premiere party last November, she dropped his hand whenever a photographer came near. 'He's my friend, that's all I'm saying,' she said. Even when Darren bought a house down the road from her in Chigwell late last year, she said it was 'chance'.

However, in December, she admitted she wouldn't mind having Darren's babies. 'We've got so much in common. He's a very nice fella and fantastic with Teja,' she said. Darren has a son, Odie, five, from a previous relationship, and last month the four were snapped at the Disney On Ice premiere, looking like the perfect family.

With Jamelia's pregnancy, the pair can no longer be coy about their relationship. It's rumoured they're set to tie the knot, but Jamelia says that's a no - for now. 'Maybe when I get my figure back,' she says.

Signed to a record company aged just 15, Jamelia fell pregnant for the first time in 2001. With two Top 20 hits and a MOBO Award under her belt, it wasn't great timing. She was also in an abusive relationship with Teja's dad - then-boyfriend Terry Wallen. Jamelia described going through with the pregnancy as 'playing Russian roulette' as it could have ruined her career. 'I knew several people in the same position and it was like, "Pregnant? Goodbye."'

She needn't have worried. Parlophone sent her a bunch of flowers and told her to come back when she was ready. A year and a half later, with her mum looking after Teja (a merging of the names Terry and Jamelia), she released Superstar and Thank You, and ended up with a Top 3 album, three MOBOs and a Q Award. Last year, she was also asked to be the face of Pretty Polly tights.

Jamelia's news comes just months after her half-brother, Kiaro Beckford, 21, was jailed for a gangland killing late last year. Another brother, Tafarwa Beckford, 22, was recently acquitted of being involved in the 2003 shooting of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis. Jamelia's other brother, Tesrod, was stabbed aged 15 in a dispute over a girl 11 years ago.

Despite her disapproval of her brothers' behaviour, Jamelia still loves them. However, she wants her children to grow up in a more secure environment. This year, she and Darren purchased a house in rural Buckinghamshire, proving they're ready to play happy families.

But while she's keen to be a perfect mum, it's clear Jamelia's not ready to give up the spotlight just yet.