GARY Barlow is to become a father for the fourth time.

The Take That star's wife, Dawn, is three months pregnant and he says they are thrilled about their impending arrival.

Barlow - who already has Daniel, 11, Emily, 9 , and three-year-old Daisy with Dawn - said: "It's brilliant. We're all just really excited about the new arrival."

He then took to his Twitter page to speak of his excitement about the new baby and joked that he is after fellow singer Peter Andre's celebrity dad of the year award.

He wrote: "What a lovely bunch you are. Thank you for all your kind messages. We are a very excited family.

"Next goal 'Celebrity Dad of the Year' #moveasideandre (sic)"

Barlow - who married dancer Dawn in 2000 - has decided to give the BRIT Awards today a miss and stay in with Dawn.

"I'm going to be watching it on the sofa with the Missus.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Coldplay do the double and Adele gets a fair few," he said.

Sources close the the 41-year-old 'X Factor' judge say the news of the baby couldn't have come at a better time.

One said: "Gary is beaming from ear to ear. The news couldn't have come at a better time because he's a real family man.

"Last year was such a whirlwind with the Take That tour and then the 'X Factor'. Now he can kick back and fully appreciate all that's going on."