(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Brandon Routh has become a father for the first time.

The Superman Returns actor and his wife Courtney Ford welcomed a son into the world on Friday, confirmed their representative. The baby boy weighed 8lbs and has been named Leo James Routh.

"We're in awe...we can't take our eyes off him!" the new parents gushed to People following the birth.

Brandon was also full of praise for actress Courtney, telling the magazine she was a "rock star" during labour.

The couple announced the happy news in March, and admitted it had been tough keeping the pregnancy a secret.

"It's been so hard keeping the news to ourselves," Brandon explained at the time. "Everyone keeps asking, Do you have kids?' and I've had to say, Well not yet!' It's the truth. The baby hasn't been born yet!"

Rumours that Brandon and Courtney were expecting a boy recently surfaced after it was claimed they had "set up a registry for Baby Routhford" at a high-end baby boutique in Los Angeles and several "blue and white" items had been purchased by friends and family.

The couple met in 2003, before they married in 2007. (C) Cover Media