Jude Law becomes a father for the FIFTH time ... as former girlfriend Catherine Harding gives birth to baby daughter

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Actor Jude Law has become a father for the fifth time.

His former girlfriend, 23-year-old singer, Catherine Harding, who also goes by the name of Cat Cavelli has given birth to a baby girl.

Jude's representative said: 'I can confirm the arrival of Jude Law and Catherine Harding’s daughter. Both are delighted and continue to ask that their privacy and that of their child be respected.'

The 23-year-old is understood to have conceived the baby around last May/June, while spending six weeks with the star on location in the Czech Republic where he was thought to be filming Spy. 

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Time to celebrate: Jude Law has become a father for the fifth time, his representative confirmed 

Congratulations: His former girlfriend Catherine Harding gave birth to a baby daughter on Monday morning  

No further details are available at present.

The happy news was revealed in October, with a spokesperson for the star telling MailOnline: 'I can confirm that Jude Law and Catherine Harding are expecting a child together in the spring.

'Whilst they are no longer in a relationship, they are both wholeheartedly committed to raising their child. 

'They consider this a private matter and other than this confirmation no statement will be made. 

All change: The 23-year-old has moved into a new house in the exclusive North London suburb of Hampstead - not far from where Jude lives

Youthful: Catherine is 18 years younger than Jude and five years older than his eldest son Rafferty

Working hard: The baby news broke as Jude was on location in West Sussex filming his new movie The Genius

'I ask that you respect the privacy of all parties involved and their families.'

Although Catherine has said very little about her pregnancy, her close friend and model Laura Coleman from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, tweeted a link to Jude's announcement, writing:

'Congratulations to my best friend @CatCavelli on expecting her new baby. Can't wait xx.'  

Sultry: Cat poses for a selfie while on a sunshine break in Thailand in April

Vocal talent: Cat shows off her amazing skills as she performs her single Death Do Us Part 

Although Jude and Cat have parted ways romantically, the Oscar nominee is committed to taking part in the child's upbringing and is supporting Cat financially.

The actor also has a five-year-old daughter, Sophia, with American model Samantha Burke following a brief fling in 2008.

Friends close to the singer told the Daily Mirror she is 'delighted' by the prospect of becoming a mother, despite being separated from Jude.

Musical dreams: Catherine is a singer/songwriter who goes by the name Cat Cavelli

A source close to Cat told the paper: 'It all happened very quickly. They met a little while ago and fell for one another, then Cat told friends that she was going out to Prague, that's when it emerged that she was in a relationship with Jude.'

Cat enjoyed a trip to Glastonbury festival in June, while believed to be pregnant.

The aspiring singer met with Simon Cowell's SyCo music company earlier this year and was considering auditioning for The X Factor.

Sexy not scary: Cat in a Halloween costume in an old photo on her Instagram account 

She grew up in a village called Ardcrone in Tipperary, Ireland and went to school at Borrisokane Community College.  

Last year, the singer was championed by US blogger Perez Hilton who posted a video of her song, Cruel Melody to his site. 

He wrote: 'Take Demi Lovato, add some British coolness, some Madonna Frozen, some Laura Mvula and a whole lot of awesomeness and you have Cat Cavelli.' 

Cat posted these R. Kelly song lyrics last year, writing: 'R Kelly pregnant...possibly the worst lyrics ever written is this a joke? Hahahahaha' [sic]

Cat moved into a new house in the exclusive North London suburb of Hampstead last year - not far from where Jude lives.

As well as daughter Sophia, Law already has three children, sons Rafferty, 18; and Rudy, 12; and daughter Iris, 13; with his ex-wife Sadie Frost, who he divorced in 2003, who he shares custody with.

In 2011, Jude talked to the Guardian about the benefits of becoming a parent at a young age.

He said: 'People often say that to me [that he did things early]. Especially about being a father, but it was just the way I did it. It never felt like an issue at the time… 

'But I really feel that the years between 40 and 50 are going to be the 10 most productive years of my life. It's just a great age to be an actor... 

'I want to get back into production, which I've done a bit of, and I've always been interested in directing and my kids are all at an age where I don't have to be tied to London necessarily.'  

Meanwhile, ex-wife Sadie Frost discussed the pair's early romance in her autobiography, Crazy Days, which was serialised in The Mail On Sunday, admitting she felt guilt because she was a 25-year-old married mother when they met.

She writes: ‘I knew that by even entertaining thoughts of Jude, I was jeopardising an idyllic home life, the most secure relationship I’d ever had. 

'I crushed my unwelcome ideas about Jude, but it wasn’t easy.’ Eventually, Sadie left her husband, Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, and bought a house with Law.

‘The force of the love I felt for Jude and his intense ambition made me feel out of control,’ she recalls.

Old flame: Sadie (pictured with Jude in 1999) discussed the pair's early romance in her autobiography, Crazy Days, admitting she felt a sense of guilt because she was a 25-year-old married mother when they met

She writes of the pressures their careers brought to bear on their relationship, in particular the long periods apart - she discovered she was pregnant with their first child in 1996.

‘Jude was away a lot, while I was sitting on the sofa, getting fatter and gripped by a nagging sense that I was jeopardising my love,’ she writes.

She was successfully treated for severe post-natal depression, but it returned after the birth of the couple’s daughter, Iris Tallulah, in October 2000.

The end of Frost’s marriage to Law came after a holiday in Thailand.

‘Right away I knew something was wrong,’ she writes. ‘I knew it was over, the way he looked at me. I was underweight, depressed and scared... 

'I asked him if he loved me but he didn’t need to reply – I knew the answer. The moment had arrived and I knew the relationship with the man I loved was over.’

Former flame: Jude was previously engaged to Sienna Miller, but they split after his affair with his children's nanny

He was last linked to actress Ruth Wilson until earlier this year after they often photographed together, although she insisted they were 'just friends'. 

In 2008 - before his fling with Samantha - Jude was photographed kissing Rod Stewart's socialite daughter Kimberly, who has since gone to have a child with Benicio Del Toro.

Aside from his wife Sadie, Jude's most high-profile romance was his on-off relationship with Sienna Miller.

The couple met on the set of Alfie in 2003 shortly after his separation from Sadie, with the actor proposing on Christmas Day 2004.

Former partner: Jude had a daughter Sophia with American model Samantha Burke (pictured) following a brief fling in December 2008

However, their romance was rocked when in July 2005 it was revealed he had had an affair with his former children's nanny Daisy Wright four months earlier while filming in the US.

The actor publicly apologised at the time, saying: 'I am deeply ashamed and upset that I've hurt Sienna and the people most close to us.

'I want to publicly apologise to Sienna and our respective families for the pain that I have caused.

Scandal: Jude had a month-long affair with nanny Daisy Wright in March 2005 while filming in America

'There is no defence for my actions which I sincerely regret and I ask that you respect our privacy at this very difficult time.' 

Although Sienna ditched her engagement ring, they tried to salvage their relationship, eventually splitting in November 2006.

The pair then rekindled their romance in December 2009 after starring in different Broadway plays at the same time.

However, just weeks after buying a home together in North London the pair split for good in February 2011.

Sienna started dating her now-fiance Tom Sturridge just a month later and they now have a two-year-old daughter Marlowe together. 

Miller has revealed it was a 'relief' to end things amicably with Jude Law and is glad she gave him a second chance in 2009 and was able 'heal' their friendship before calling it quits for good.

Discussing their second shot at love, she told Esquire magazine: 'When something ends in a way like that, it's important if you can, in a way, go back and revisit it and either shut that door or create a new room. So it was a very healthy, cathartic experience.

'And I think it paved the way for both of us to have great futures with no animosity or drama. Such a huge relief, to heal that. And I'm great friends with him and with his children. I love them, madly. Just huge love and respect for all of them.'

Five years ago that becoming a father shifted his priorities in life and gave him a wake-up call.

He said in 2009: 'Being a daddy is what counts. I used to sleep until noon, but it's not so bad to have to get up at 7 and give them breakfast.

'My daughter made me realise that if there's anything that's going to make a man of you, it's having your will broken by a little girl.'  

DATING SOME OF THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN: JUDE'S LOVE LIFE

1994-2003: Sadie Frost

First love: Jude Law and Sadie Frost in 1997, three years after they first met

The couple met on the set of film, Shopping and married when he was 21 and she was 28 and separated from Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp, father of her son Finlay. Sadie gave birth to son Rafferty in 1996 before marrying Jude a year later. In 2000, their daughter Iris was born, followed by Rudy two years later. Jude and Sadie announced they were to separate in February 2003.

September 2003-2006: Sienna Miller

The actor enjoys a whirlwind romance with the blonde actress after meeting her on the set of Alfie, before proposing on Christmas Day. Jude has a month-long affair with his former children's nanny Daisy Wright in March 2005, while filming All The King's Men in Louisiana before the affair is revealed four months later. Despite working on their relationship, Sienna cheated on Jude with Bond actor Daniel Craig in October 2005, before finally splitting with Jude in November 2006.

2007: Kim Hersov

Jude is said to be enjoying a string of dates with the American magazine editor

May 2008: Kimberly Stewart

Jude was pictured kissing the socialite and daughter of rocker Rod, in an Essex nightclub

July 2008: Lily Cole

The actor briefly dates the model/actress and environmental campaigner 

December 2008: Samantha Burke

The star has a fling with the American model and she gives birth to their daughter Sophia in September 2009. 

December 2009-2011: Sienna Miller 

The actor rekindles romance with his ex-girlfriend and former fiancée before they split for the second time in February 2011.

2012 - 2013: Ruth Wilson

The actress insists they're just friends despite being romantically linked to one another. 

October 2014: Catherine Harding

Jude confirms he is expecting a baby with his ex-girlfriend. 

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