LONDON (REUTERS) - Britain's Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis-Hill is pregnant and will miss the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July, she said on Friday.

The 27-year-old confirmed that she is expecting her first baby later this year but hopes to defend her Olympic heptathlon title in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

In a media statement, she said: "I have some very unexpected but exciting news to share - Andy and I are expecting a baby".

"We are completely overwhelmed with excitement and a degree of anxiety that I am sure all first time parents will relate to."

"My plans for 2014 have been completely turned upside down. But having had a couple of weeks to think about things from a career point of view, I am 100 per cent set on returning to full-time athletics once our baby is born and go for a second gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 - that challenge really excites me."

Ennis-Hill won the Olympic title in London in 2012 to add to her world crown in 2009 and her European title in 2010.