Fuel has been added to the latest set of Nicole Kidman pregnancy rumours after reports that she has backed out of her next film project at the last minute.

pNicole was supposed to start shooting The Reader in Germany later this month but according to the New York Post, she’s now dropped out of the pouroduction despite already having spent time in preparation for the role and had a series of costume fittings.

She is also said to have rescheduled a photo shoot with for Vanity Fair’s annual Hollywood issue, bringing it forward because, according to the newspaper’s source, “the costumes she’s set to wear won’t fit her much longer.”

Nicole’s spokesperson initially denied the pregnancy rumours when they first circulated at the end of last year but when asked directly about it by a reporter by the Australian Daily Telegraph over the weekend, Nicole “refused to answer”.

The New York Post’s source added: “Of course, everyone knows she’s pregnant and lying about it.”

Nicole is said to have asked her mum, dad and sister Antonia to be present in the delivery room when she gives birth to her long-awaited baby later in the year.

UPDATE: Nicole’s spokesperson has finally confirmed that the actress is pregnant. In a brief statement released this evening, she said the couple are “thrilled” with the news. The baby is due in the early summer.