Nicole Kidman's husband keeps watch over her baby bump

Keith Urban was lined up to perform at the County Music Television Awards in Nashville yesterday, but he had another special role - doting dad in training.

The singer kept careful watch over his radiant wife Nicole Kidman as the pair arrived for the ceremony, nursing her bump as they made their way down the red carpet.

Getting his kicks: Keith Urban keeps guard over Nicole Kidman's baby bump at the Country Music Television Awards in Nashville yesterday

The beaming 40-year-old, still slight of frame despite entering her third trimester, wore a full length scarlet dress and once inside, cheered on her husband as he opened the show with a performance of Raise the Barn.

The pair recently returned to the US from Nicole's native Australia, where Keith made a series of stops as part of his tour.

Getting ready for baby: the couple recently purchased a new home in LA

After months on the road since, he says they're happy to be nesting.

Keith said: "It's great to be able to go home and sleep in our own bed tonight."

The couple have no shortage of places to rest their heads - they've just purchased a $7 million home in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles, where Nicole lived for years before splitting with Tom Cruise in 2001.

As well as a home in Nashville, Nicole also owns a waterside house in Sydney, where she was raised.

Fan club: once inside Nicole cheered on her husband, who opened the ceremony with a performance of Raise the Barn