Singer Janet Jackson, 50, expecting first child

Singer Janet Jackson and her husband, Wissam al-Mana, are expecting their first child (Getty Image)

Singer Janet Jackson has officially confirmed she is expecting her first child, at the age of 50.

She told People magazine: "We thank God for our blessing", and posed for a picture with her growing baby bump.

Speculation about her pregnancy surfaced in April when she postponed her 'Unbreakable' tour, saying she wanted to focus on planning a family with her husband, Wissam al-Mana.

She was recently spotted in London shopping for baby essentials.

The People magazine quoted a source close to the Jackson family as saying: "She is super excited about her pregnancy and is doing extremely well. She actually feels very good about everything."

Janet Jackson announced in April she was delaying her world tour to plan a family (JANET JACKSON/@TWITTER)

In a video posted on Twitter in April, she told her fans that she was postponing her world tour because "there's been a sudden change".

"I thought it was important that you be the first to know. My husband and I are planning our family," she said, adding: "Please if you can try and understand that its important that I do this now."

She went on to say: "I have to rest up, doctor's orders."