Rod Stewart to become a father again at 66

Rocker Rod Stewart is to become a father again at the age of 66, it was announced yesterday.

Photographer Penny Lancaster, 39, discovered she was pregnant while celebrating the couple’s third wedding anniversary in Portofino, Italy, near the location where they tied the knot.

The couple have a four-year-old son Alastair while Mr Stewart also has five other children from previous relationships with Alana Hamilton, Rachel Hunter and Kelly Emberg.

Mr Stewart and three-months pregnant Ms Lancaster, who turns 40 in March, have made no secret in the past about wanting a brother or sister for their son.

Ms Lancaster said recently of their attempts to have another child: “I think touring and running around interferes with things but we’re still trying and have high hopes. Though once you get over 35 it takes a little longer.”

Mr Stewart, who will celebrate his 66th birthday in January, has been with Ms Lancaster for more than 10 years. He has two children, Kimberly, 30, and Sean, 29, with first wife Hamilton, while second wife Hunter is mother to Renee, 18, and Liam, 15. Mr Stewart also has a daughter, Ruby, 23, from his relationship with Ms Emberg.

Mr Stewart also has a daughter, Sarah Streeter, 46, who was conceived when the singer was just 18 and was adopted. The Maggie May singer told recently how he wasn’t anxious about being an older father, saying: “As a parent of a new child, I’ll maybe only be around for 25 years at most. But it will be a happy, loving 25 years.

“You get children born into a family who have 25 miserable years. What’s the point in that? The most important thing is I can afford it and have got the time.

“It makes you want to keep very fit. I don’t drink as much as I used to and exercise four times a week.

“I’d love to be a dad again. When my first kids, Kimberley and Sean, were small I had to go off on tour and carve out a career for myself. Now, I can tour when I like.”