Matilda Rice has revealed she won't be competing in Dancing With The Stars NZ this year for one very good reason - she's expecting her first child with new husband Art Green.
The Bachelor NZ season one sweethearts shared the news in a cover story for Woman's Day that hit stands on Sunday, which has photos from their secret wedding on Waiheke Island on Friday.
"We're having a baby," Matilda told the women's magazine.
"Art and I are absolutely over the moon. We always knew we wanted to start a family, but never imagined we'd be lucky enough to share our special day with our wee son or daughter.
"It's truly so special to have all three of us here."
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Matilda was the second celebrity competitor announced for the 2019 season of DWTS NZ, but her shot at earning the coveted glitter ball trophy will now have to wait until next year.
"I'm gutted to have to pull out of Dancing with the Stars," Matilda told Newshub.
"But naturally I'm also super-excited about this next chapter in our lives. And I'll be looking forward to cheering all the other dancers on from the sidelines during the show later this year!"
Three's senior network executive Hayley Cunningham said the network was thrilled for the couple.
"A huge congratulations to Art and Matilda on tying the knot on Friday and their baby news," she said.
"We wish them all the best on this new journey into parenthood and hope to see Matilda on the dance floor in 2020."
"Art and I always knew that one day we wanted to be parents, but it never felt real until now," Matilda told Woman's Day.
"Now that we've reached our goal of buying a home, we feel really settled and ready for the next chapter in our relationship - marriage, renovations and mini Art and Matildas!"
Art is adamant any new additions to the family will be "free-range babies".
"We really want our kids to grow up surrounded by nature and, as a family, living off the land as best we can," he said.
Art crowned Matilda queen of his heart after they met on season one of The Bachelor NZ in 2015. He proposed in Rarotonga in 2017.
Newshub Live at 6pm presenter Mike McRoberts is the other contestant announced for this year's DWTS NZ. His shot at following colleague Sam Hayes to sequined glory has recently been threatened by a knee injury, which saw him pull out of an Ironman competition.
Newshub.
