Former Australian Idol star Dean Geyer is expecting first child with US actress Jillian Murray: 'Feeling beyond blessed'

Australian singer and actor Dean Geyer is expecting his first child with his wife, US actress Jillian Murray.     

The former Australian Idol star, 40, announced the news on Instagram this week, sharing a sweet photo of the couple.

The image showed Jillian cradling her exposed baby bump as a doting Dean stood behind her, his arms wrapped lovingly around his wife.

Captioning the sweet photo, Dean admitted that fatherhood was something he'd always dreamed of.

'Feeling beyond blessed that God has trusted us with this incredible gift,' he wrote.

'I’ve always dreamed of being a dad and I couldn’t be more excited to take this journey with @jillianmurrayofficial as we grow our little family.'

Dean added that the couple's 'fur babies' would be studying to become perfect siblings.

'Lyric and Hazel better start practicing their big sibling skills. And let’s be honest, isn’t Jill gonna be such a fierce mama?' he wrote.

The post was met with a flurry of well-wishes from friends and followers, including Jillian, who gushed: 'You’re going to be the most incredible daddy. I can’t wait!'

Heartland star Cindy Busby also added a heartfelt: 'The hottest family ever! Congratulations you two! That baby is already so lucky!'

Jamie-Lee Spears added an excited: 'Omg!!! Congrats!', while Broadway star Laura Osnes added: 'Beyond thrilled for both of you. Best news ever.'

One follower summed up the sentiment of many with: 'I’m so, so, so beyond happy for you both! You are both going to make the most amazing parents!'   

Dean, who was born in South Africa, rose to fame on the 2006 season of Australian Idol, where he placed third behind Jessica Mauboy and winner Damien Leith.

Following his Australian Idol tilt, Dean dipped his toe into acting, joining the cast of Neighbours in 2008 alongside the likes of Margot Robbie.

Dean played Ty Harper on the iconic Aussie soap for 12 months, and in 2010, made his big screen debut in Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown.

He received his big US break in 2012 when he was cast as Brody Weston in the iconic musical drama series Glee, in which he played Lea Michele's love interest.

In 2020, Dean came to his former co-star's defence after Lea was the subject of allegations of bullying and creating a 'toxic' work environment on the Glee set.

'Lea is still one of my favourite co-stars that I have had the pleasure of working with. She is extremely hard-working and super fun to be around,' he said at the time.

'Her work ethic is so strong it forces you to always be on top of your game, and that's something I looked forward to every day on set. I definitely learned a lot.' 

Dean added: 'When jumping onto a hugely successful and established show like Glee, I went into it expecting to be known as the "new guy" for at least a month, but that wasn't the case at all. 

'I almost immediately felt welcomed, and to be totally honest, out of everyone, Lea was the most friendly to me.' 

Meanwhile, Dean tied the knot with Jillian in September 2017, after striking up their romance back in 2010.

Jillian is best known for her roles in the medical drama Code Black and MTV's Awkward. 

Dean was previously in a relationship with The Veronicas star Lisa Origliasso.

The couple began dating in 2007 and announced their engagement a year later.

The union proved to be short-lived, however, with the couple calling it quits just three months after Dean popped the question.