Beyonce Knowles' mother has denied her daughter is pregnant.

The 'Halo' hitmaker was reported to be expecting her first child with her hip-hop superstar husband Jay-Z, but her mother Tina Knowles has rubbished the rumors and joked she is having a baby at the age of 56.

Tina said: "The truth is that's it's not Beyonce that's pregnant. It's me.

"I'm kidding y'all. I'm 56. No, no the reports are not true. Not right now . With all the rumors, by now I should have 5 or 6 grandchildren."

However, Tina's claims do not appear to have reached friends of the couple - who married in 2008 - and they have been rushing to express their delight saying they will make wonderful parents.

Record executive Kevin Liles - a close friend of Jay-Z - said: "Jay has been all about family since I met him, and he's always going to be. I wish them the best."

Beyonce's sister Solange added: "She's got the most beautiful heart. She'll be a great mom."

Earlier this year, Beyonce, 29, insisted she would start a family when she is ready.

She said: "My ambition is to continue to learn about the world and to eventually have a family. There are no dates, no times - it will happen when I am ready."