Mum-To-Be Joy

IT'S the birth of a new era - and Kate Winslet is playing her part beautifully. Only a generation ago mums-to-be tried to mask their swelling tums in tent-like dresses. And words like "bump" were deemed politically incorrect.

But Titanic star Kate has no time for such pretences. Yesterday, as she enjoyed the sunshine of Regent's Park in London, no one could be in any doubt that she is expecting. The 24-year-old actress proudly displayed the signs of her first child - due in September - by wearing a blue crop-top and draw string trousers.

Down-to-earth Kate would be the first to admit she has taken her cue from other celebs. Demi Moore was an early pioneer - she was only a month from giving birth when she posed for the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. All Saints songbird Melanie Blatt, Spice Girl Mel G, Oasis star Noel Gallagher's wife Meg Matthews, actress Patsy Palmer and supermodel Helena Christensen have all since happily paraded their pregnancies.

But there's a novel twist to Kate's blossoming figure. Her film director husband Jim Threapleton has told her he likes it so much he wants her to retain it even after their baby arrives.

Kate laughed: "Jim is completely beside himself. The other day he said 'When we have the baby, do you think you could keep your tummy?'"

It's no surprise that Kate has found her condition a delight. When she was accused of putting on weight for Titanic she rounded on her critics, insisting she'd rather be curvy and healthy than stick-thin.

"It's nice to now really be able to indulge in being pregnant," she says. "I'm also coming into the enjoyable bit where you start to look quite healthy. Now the glow thing is starting to happen, which is quite nice."

It's handy for her latest movie Enigma, too. Her role in the wartime thriller, produced by Mick Jagger, requires her to be slim in most scenes - and heavily pregnant in others.