One of the magazines went so far as to say the baby was due in October but Pete firmly dismissed all the reports as "crazy".

His email continued: "This is all news to me. I can't wait for the story about how I'm really in a gay relationship and this is all just a cover... I mean really, this is crazy.

"I mean we're engaged, that's true, and happy about it."

A spokesperson for the couple confirmed their engagement and said: "Beyond that there is nothing to add."

'Happily engaged'

News of the couple's engagement broke last Thursday.

At the time, Ashlee, who is the younger sister of pop star Jessica Simpson, told People magazine: "Yes, we are thrilled to share that we are happily engaged.

"We know there has been a lot of speculation recently about Pete and I and we wanted our fans to be the first to know because you guys are the best."

Ashlee's career was helped by sister Jessica, who starred in US reality show Newlyweds with husband Nick Lachey.

She subsequently had her own reality show and was voted the best new female artist by Billboard magazine in 2004.

In addition to her career as a singer, Simpson had a role in the US TV show Seventh Heaven.

She was nominated for a worst supporting actress Razzie Award for her role in Undiscovered in 2006.

Her new album Bittersweet World is due to be released on 22 April.