Lily Allen suffers second miscarriage

The pop star Lily Allen has suffered a miscarriage, according to a statement issued on her behalf. Allen, 25, who was six months pregnant by her builder boyfriend Sam Cooper, has asked for privacy at a ''deeply distressing time''.

A spokesman said: ''It is with great sadness that we have to confirm that Lily Allen and Sam Cooper have lost their baby. The couple ask that their privacy be respected and that they be left alone at this deeply distressing time. No further comment will be made.''

Allen had previously had a miscarriage in 2008, when she was in a relationship with the Chemical Brothers' DJ Ed Simons.

She was taken to hospital on Thursday morning complaining of pain. She was therefore unable to perform at Elton John’s annual AIDS fundraiser ball, held in London on Saturday night. To protect her privacy, guests were told that she had a viral infection and Elton John stepped in to sing a 45-minute set of his greatest hits.

On Saturday morning, she posted a simple message on her Twitter page: 'Say a little prayer x'. But doctors were unable to save the unborn child. ·