ALLY MCBEAL - THORNE-SMITH'S PREGNANCY WRITTEN INTO SITCOM

Former ALLY MCBEAL star COURTNEY THORNE-SMITH is to quit hit U.S. TV sitcom ACCORDING TO JIM as a new mum both on and offscreen. The actress hopes to return to playing Jim Belushi's onscreen wife in the future, but insists she'll be taking a break to play mum first. Thorne-Smith's pregnancy is to written into the comedy series' upcoming season. The 39-year-old tells USA Today newspaper, "My character is going to get pregnant, and hopefully it will be soon, because I'm growing by leaps and bounds. "I'll probably shoot at least 10 episodes, and then they're going to do half the season without me because I'll be done. I have no idea how they're going to write me out. "Then, if the timing works out, I would certainly come back."