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Mick Hucknall to be a dad

By Stone Martindale Feb 5, 2007, 17:25 GMT

Manchester native Mick Hucknall is to be a father. The Simply Red star and his partner Gabriella Wesberry are expecting their first child in June. British singer Mick Hucknall of the pop group Simply Red The festival will last until July 15. EPA/LAURENT GILLIERON

British singer Mick Hucknall of the pop group Simply Red The festival will last until July 15. EPA/LAURENT GILLIERONThe singer began dating company director Wesberry in 1995, but they later split because of Hucknall's frantic touring schedule.Hucknall has been a bit of a playboy, attached to a bevy of beauties including actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Tracy Shaw, singer Martine McCutcheon, model Helena Christensen and tennis player Steffi Graf.He is happy now, describing Gabriella to the Daily Mail: "She's a director of my wine company and she speaks six languages. There's actually no nepotism. I chose her because she's going to be great. She's very good at her job. I don't think she'd want me to say who she is. "She's the kind of girl who would get very upset. She's not interested in any of this publicity and stuff, which is exactly why I like her. I don't want to attract attention to us, but, yes, I'd say I'm in a very good place." The Daily Mail reports that Hucknall divides his time between three places. He has homes in Surrey, Paris and Sicily and says he chooses where to stay depending upon "where the moment takes us".Hucknall owns an 18th-century estate at St Alfio on the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, where he produces wine with local oenologist Salvatore Foti. Hucknall is passionate about his label Il Cantante (The Singer).The Mirror.co.uk reports that they were reunited in 2003 and have been trying for their first child since early last year. Hucknall told friends, "We're absolutely over the moon. It's the most amazing news ever. I can't wait to become a dad."