Billy Elliot actor Jamie Bell praises 'warrior' girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood after birth of their baby boy

Actors Evan Rachel Wood and Jamie Bell who have announced the birth of their first child. (Getty Images)

Former Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell has become a father to a baby boy.

The 27-year-old British actor and US actress Evan Rachel Wood, 25, married in California last year.

Bell announced in January that the couple were expecting their first child.

Now he has confirmed the birth with a message to his wife on Twitter, writing: "Wow! What a day. Evan you are my warrior! You never cease to amaze. Thank you for birthing our son so naturally and peacefully. You did it!"

Wood, who earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her role in US drama Mildred Pierce, replied: "And you are mine. Thank you for being there and helping me through it. I love you both more than words can say."

She also told her followers: "It's a boy!! Song of the day Beautiful Boy £johnlennon."

Bell found fame as the talented young dancer in movie hit Billy Elliot, later to become a musical stage show.

Other movie successes have included Peter Jackson's King Kong remake and he provided the voice of Tintin in Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret Of The Unicorn.

Bell and Wood - who has appeared in The Wrestler, Thirteen and HBO's True Blood - first dated in 2005 and split a year later before rekindling their relationship.

PA