Hayden Panettiere is ready for kids

Hayden Panettiere can't wait to have children.

The 'Nashville' actress - who is rumoured to be secretly engaged to World Heavyweight Champion boxer Wladimir Klitschko following their reconciliation in January - has revealed she wouldn't be shocked if she has kids with the Ukrainian athlete in the near future and thinks it will be the 'most beautiful, exciting thing' because she 'was born to be a mother.'

The 23-year-old blonde star told the May issue of Glamour magazine: 'It wouldn't shock me!

'I don't really have a plan. I've lived a very big life, and I don't feel my age, and I feel like I was born to be a mother. Sometimes people speak about [having kids] like, 'Your life ends--you're never going to be able to do anything again!' And I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' Motherhood is the most beautiful, exciting thing, and there's nothing that I feel like I can't accomplish while having children in my life. I would sacrifice having more years of being wherever I want whenever I want for years with my kids.'

Hayden first began dating Wladimir, 37, in 2009 but the couple ended their romance just two years later in 2011. They got back together in January 2013 and while she would not discuss their engagement, she confirmed they are back together, explained how they fell in love and admitted that their relationship is much more serious this time round.

She said: 'I think it's pretty obvious. I'm not going to deny it.

'An acquaintance of ours did a coffee-table book, and the proceeds went to genocide prevention. We met at the party for the launch of the book; we've been friends for five years--we've never not been close.

'It's like the 2.0 version. I've always had great relationships and stayed really good friends with the guys I've dated. It blows my mind sometimes that us getting together has gotten so much attention. It's like, Really? This is breaking news?'

The actress has previously admitted she preferred dating athletes because they aren't 'exactly in your industry' but understand the hectic lifestyle that comes with fame.

She said: 'They're in similar circles, where they understand the schedule, the work ethic, the social aspect, but they're not exactly in your industry, so it works out well.'