J-Lo confirms Affleck engagement

Jennifer Lopez has confirmed she is engaged to marry actor Ben Affleck, ending weeks of speculation regarding the couple.

The couple's film, Gigli, will be released in 2003

In an interview with American television channel ABC News, to be aired later this week, the 32-year-old American actress and singer at first seemed reluctant to confirm the rumours.

However she then admitted the news, showing off her pink diamond engagement ring and saying that Affleck's proposal had been "traditional, but also in a very spectacular way, as of course Ben would do it".

"It was very, very beautiful," she added.

Lopez, star of films such as Out of Sight, The Cell and The Wedding Planner, met Affleck, 30, last December on the set of their new film Gigli, but the relationship did not become public until this summer.

They have just finished filming Jersey Girl, with director Kevin Smith who also made Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Third marriage

The marriage will be the third for Lopez, who wed actor Ojani Noa in 1997, but split up with him a year later.

Lopez and Judd were married for only eight months

After a high profile romance with rapper P Diddy, which ended just after his acquittal on gun charges, she then married one of her backing dancers, Cris Judd, in October last year.

But Lopez filed for divorce in July, citing irreconcilable differences.

The divorce is expected to be finalised in January.

Tabloid rumours

Lopez would not comment on when the impending nuptials are to take place, although she did confirm that she and Affleck had recently visited a church in Boston.

Recent tabloid reports have claimed the pair are due to marry in Puerto Rico on Valentine's Day next year.

Ben Affleck, who won an Oscar along with fellow actor Matt Damon in 1997, has starred in a series of Hollywood blockbusters, including Pearl Harbour, The Sum of all Fears and, most recently, Changing Lanes.

Last year he checked himself into a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol abuse.

This will be Affleck's first marriage.