She is a pin-up for size zero wannabees everywhere, but Simple Life star Nicole Richie, showed off an impressive baby bump out and about in Hollywood Tuesday.

Wearing a stretchy grey sweater and sensible flats, Nicole was accompanied by her fiance, Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden.

Well-wishers will be relieved to see the 26-year-old daughter of singer Lionel Richie has put on weight for her pregnancy. The troubled star had suffered a slide into drugs and driving related offences last year, which saw her spend a short time in prison.

Nicole recently revealed her baby had saved her life.

"I owe this baby everything and I have a responsibility now," she told Diane Sawyer on ABC News.

Nicole Richie is engaged to rock star Joel Madden (photo: Agencies via China Daily)

The socialite admitted she could not believe she was pregnant at first. She told Access Hollywood: "I didn't believe it. I was in shock. I took about 5 different tests!"

Richie and her betrothed are now eagerly awaiting their new arrival in January.

But it seems wedding bells will not be ringing any time soon.

The parents-to-be have been busy preparing for their baby and spreading some good will during the festive season.

The couple treated 200 needy children to an early Christmas with a party thrown by their newly established charity, The Richie Madden Children's Foundation.

"We really wanted to give these kids a really wonderful and special Christmas. It's our favorite holiday," said a pregnant Richie.
 
(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2008)