Russell Brand is "very excited about becoming a dad"

Speaking to the new issue of ES Magazine, he said: "I feel lit up by the idea. I'm very excited about becoming a dad and I'm preparing myself. I am just getting ready to be with a new little person and see what it is they want."

The 'Get Him to the Greek' star and Laura have not found out the sex of their baby and he has joked that he may "never find out".

He laughed: "I might never find out. I may never look!"

And Russell - who was previously wed to pop superstar Katy Perry - revealed it is Laura who makes all the important decisions around the house, and his opinion is "secondary".

He said: "[Laura is] decorating the nursery. Around domestic issues, my vote is often secondary ... Or the vote of my gender at least, so I will just wait to see what is determined."

The pair now live in the countryside and keep chickens, something which the 'Arthur' actor says suits him as he's "much happier" with his current lifestyle than he was when he was playing the fame game in London.

He said: "It is very calm. I look at the chickens; they hatch some eggs. Basically I'm like a village idiot - just looking at livestock.

"There is constant conflict between the primal drives: the drive to procreate, the drive to survive, and the drive to have status. But I am no longer deluded as to what may provide happiness.

"I'm so much happier over the course of the day to see one or two people and a few chickens, that's a good way of living."