The lesbian partner of television presenter Mary Portas is
expecting her first child, according to reports.
Thirty eight year-old Melanie Rickey, a Grazia magazine
journalist, is understood to be pregnant as a result of IVF
treatment.
Details of the child's father have not yet been released.
The pregnancy is being reported after a fashion supplement in The
Times newspaper described Rickey as a "soon-to-be-mum".
A friend of the couple reportedly told the Daily Mail: "Everyone's
really pleased for Mel, she has wanted kids for a long time. She
and Mary are really happy together. We're all delighted.
"Mel's been telling her colleagues at work and in the fashion
world, and so has Mary."
Neither Portas, 51, nor Rickey have formally confirmed the news in
a statement.
Last year, Prime Minister David Cameron hired Portas to save
Britain's much-maligned high streets. The management consultant -
known as The Queen of Shops - aims to help the PM revive local
shopping centres in the wake of the current economic climate.
And her approach includes asking giant supermarket chains like
Tesco to financially help struggling local community stores.
Portas was married to her former husband, Graham Portas, for
thirteen years. They have two children: Mylo and Verity.
