Mel Gibson to become a dad for the NINTH TIME at the age of 60

, a close friend of the star added: "Mel and Rose are so excited about the baby.
"Mel loves being a dad and he and Rose can't wait to be parents together.

"The last two years have been some of his happiest years he's ever had."

While Mel already has eight children from previous relationships, but the baby will be former professional equestrian and writer Rosalind's first.

An insider recently told the outlet: "She is great for him.

"She has her own life, but also seems to enjoy Mel's... They are very much on the same page."

The actor recently settled a child support battle with his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva over their six-year-old daughter Lucia, after they split in 2010.

He also has seven older children with his ex-wife Robyn, who he separated from in 2006 after 26 years of marriage.

The former couple finalised their divorce in 2011.

While the star is excited to welcome the latest addition to his brood with his girlfriend, he admitted following the birth of Lucia that he was struggling with being a father to a newborn baby after so long.

Speaking to American chat show host Jay Leno, he said that earplugs were the only way to deal with his then screaming four-month-old baby.

Taking part in a nappy-changing game, Mel said being a father at his age was different from when he was younger.

He said: "You know, you're more mellow. There's shortcuts, I guess. Earplugs, you know!

"I will be honest, I would say that her mother does the lion's share of that work, but you know, I support her."

Mel's personal life isn't the only thing going well, as his new directorial project, Hacksaw Ridge, received a 10-minute standing ovation following its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival in Italy earlier this month.
 The World War II drama, starring Andrew Garfield as real-life U.S. Army medic and Medal of Honour recipient Desmond Doss, has also garnered early Oscars buzz ahead of its release in November.