Janet Jackson has confirmed that she is pregnant with her first child at the age of 50.

The American singer was rumoured to be expecting after postponing the second leg of her world tour earlier this year, telling her fans she was planning for a family.

Janet Jackson performs on stageJanet Jackson (Nousha Salimi/AP)

She has now confirmed the news, telling US publication People: “We thank God for our blessing.”

Janet also showed off her baby bump in a picture for the magazine.

In April, the star announced that she was delaying her Unbreakable tour because she and her husband, businessman Wissam Al Mana, were “planning our family”.

The singer posted a video on her Twitter account to announce the news.

She did not say that she was pregnant, but said there had been a “sudden change” to the second leg of her tour – which started in August 2015.

She continued: “Please, if you could try and understand that it’s important that I do this now.

“I have to rest up, doctor’s orders. But I have not forgotten about you. I will continue the tour as soon as I possibly can.”

Janet, who turned 50 in May, married Wissam in 2012.