Kanye West is confident he will be godfather to Beyonce's baby.

The rapper-and-producer has told friends how excited he is about his close friend's pregnancy - her first child with her husband [art]Jay-Z[art] - because he thinks he will play a key role in its spiritual upbringing.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Kanye is as excited about the baby as Beyonce and Jay-Z.

"He's been saying he's going to be godfather and is absolutely thrilled. It will be a huge honor for him."

Beyonce announced she was pregnant at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday, by posing for photographs clutching her baby bump.

Jay-Z and Kanye performed their new single 'Otis' together at the awards, then Beyonce also sang, rubbing her bump at the end of her performance, while Kanye patted her husband on the back.

The 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)' hitmaker's publicist later confirmed the baby news, although no further details - such as how far into her pregnancy - have been made public.

The couple married in 2008 and the baby will be a first child for them both.

The singer told how she was ready to settle down into motherhood earlier this year, saying: "When you're young - 18 or 19 - you have the energy and drive. That's the time to work as hard as you can.

"Now I'm a woman, and because I gave it my all, I can focus on my marriage. I can decide I want to have kids. I can be the mother I want to be and dedicate myself to my children."