Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling pregnant

Multimillion-selling author J.K. Rowling said she was expecting her third child due next year but promised Harry Potter fans the pregnancy would not delay her writing a sixth book about the boy wizard.

Rowling's books have sold more than 250 million copies, and fans are waiting for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

"Book six remains well on track and, fingers crossed of course, I don't foresee any baby-related delays or interruptions." She said there was no date for the book's completion but added she "had written a lot and I really like it".

Rowling, 38, has a daughter, Jessica, from her first marriage, and last year had a son, David, with her second husband, Dr Neil Murray.