Matthew Settle to become dad again - report

Gossip Girl star Matthew Settle is to become a father for the second time, according to his former co-star Kelly Rutherford.

The actor, who is best known for playing Rufus Humphrey on the teen series, already shares a six-year-old daughter with his ex-wife, actress Naama Nativ, and is said to be preparing to be a father again with long-term girlfriend, Maria Alfonsin.

Rutherford confirmed the news to US Weekly magazine on Tuesday (28Apr15) as she discussed which stars would attend her charity event, the Children's Justice Campaign affair later this month (May15).

She said, "Marcia Cross, Ed Westwick, Vivica Fox, Selma Blair, and Lisa Rinna are all hosting. And Marianne Williamson and Lisa Bloom are speaking (at the event). I'm hoping Matthew can make it. He's getting ready to have a baby, so I don't know. His loss!"

The actress is currently embroiled in a bitter custody row with her ex-husband, German businessman, Daniel Giersch, ever since a judge granted him primary custody of their two kids in 2012 meaning she must fly between her native U.S. and Europe to visit her children.