As Sir Paul McCartney and wife Heather announce they're expecting their first child together, Women's Editor Christen Pears looks at the phenomenon of older fathers.

AT an age when most men are looking forward to bouncing grandchildren on their laps, Sir Paul McCartney is about to embark on a regime of nappy changing and sleepless nights. It's a daunting prospect for any man but how will a 60-year-old, who already has a grown-up family, cope?

There is no doubt that this baby is wanted. Heather Mills-McCartney, 34, has made no secret of her longing for a baby and the couple have been trying for a child since they married in Ireland in June last year. Only three months ago, she told interviewer Michael Parkinson that she feared she would never conceive and that a catalogue of health problems, including cancer of the uterus and an ectopic pregnancy, had damaged her fertility. But is this enough to make up for the fact that by the time his son or daughter goes to school, Sir Paul will be collecting his pension?

The former Beatle's multi-million fortune will no doubt help him and his wife through the situation but will he have the energy to look after a baby, to cope with the crying and vomiting? How will he feel about being the oldest dad at the school gates?

Sir Paul is just the latest in a long line of high-profile figures to become fathers later in life. John Humphrys, Mick Jagger and Michael Douglas have recently fathered children in their 50s, while David Jason, Clint Eastwood and Bill Wyman were in their 60s when their partners gave birth.

But it isn't just celebrities who are bucking the trend. A report published last year by the Office for National Statistics revealed that the average age of becoming a dad had passed 30 for the first time and the number of men fathering children over the age of 40 increased by 50 per cent in a decade.

Jack O'Sullivan, from the support group, Fathers Direct, says: "Older fathers are definitely on the increase and that does bring some advantages. They're more likely to be dads by choice than younger men and they're three times as likely to take regular responsibility for their children. They're more likely to be involved with them and research shows they're more likely to find the experience positive."

Few older dads regret their decision. They say they're more mature, wiser and often more secure in themselves and their jobs. John Humphrys and Tony Blair certainly seem to be happy enough with their young offspring, but there are practical drawbacks.

Jack says: "An older man is more likely to suffer ill health and may not see their child reach maturity. There may be a generation gap which makes their relationship difficult.

"There can also be income problems. We tend to think of celebrity older fathers but ordinary dads quite often have a second family to look after and they're past their peak earning years."

One of the biggest problems facing the 50-plus father is fatigue. Getting up in the early hours of the morning to change nappies or soothe a wailing baby takes its toll on a young man and present a much greater challenge for the older father. The parents' egg and spoon race at the school sports day doesn't even bear thinking about.

Dr Joan Harvey, chartered psychologist at the University of Newcastle, says: "An older man is going to be more easily tired, he's going to feel fatigued, although that's probably not going to be a problem for Paul McCartney. He has the money not to have to worry about that sort of thing.

"But while tiredness can be a problem, older fathers can compensate with experience and that is important. Older fathers are not frightened by what they have to do in terms of parenting. They're more relaxed and rational about it."

There are many reasons behind the growing phenomenon of older fatherhood, including longer lifespan and more women choosing to pursue a career before staring a family later in life. But the most common reason is second relationships and this can cause resentment and problems with a man's first family.

Sir Paul is already father to Mary, 33, Stella, 31, and James, 25, as well as stepfather to Heather, 39, all by his first wife Linda. If the press is to be believed, relations between his second wife and her stepchildren are already strained and the new arrival could stretch them even further.

Dr Harvey says: "It can be a problem, particularly if there is already some resentment of the second wife. Things are never going to be easy for Heather with Paul's children and this could make them feel more uncomfortable.

"On the other hand, it could work the other way. A new baby is very vulnerable and that can bring people closer together."

A criticism regularly levelled at older fathers is selfishness. When their child reaches its teens, they may be in their 70s or even 80s. They may not live long enough to see them get married or go to university but, as life expectancy increases, Dr Harvey believes this is less of a problem than it was 20 or 30 years ago.

She says: "In the early part of the 20th century you were considered really old at 60. In the 1800s, most people would be dead by then but these days, it isn't considered that old. Paul McCartney has every chance of living to his 80s and the child is not likely to be fatherless at an early age.

"An older father will be aware of these things but that may make him more appreciative and want to make the most of his time with his children. Older fathers certainly aren't a bad thing. In fact, there are many advantages."

The swelling ranks of the older dads

Michael Douglas became a father for the third time this year at the age of 58 when his wife Catherine Zeta Jones gave birth to a daughter, Carys.

Only Fools and Horses actor David Jason became a father for the first time at the age of 61.

Ten years after the tragic death of his son, who fell out of a skyscraper window, rock star Eric Clapton became a father again in 2001 at the age of 56.

Clint Eastwood was 67 when the youngest of his seven children, daughter Morgan, was born five years ago.

Tony Blair, 47, was a relatively young older father at when Cherie gave birth to the couple's fourth child, Leo.

Sharp-tongued Today Programme presenter John Humphrys admitted he softened a little when he became father to baby Owen at the age of 57.

James Doohan, best known as Scotty from Star Trek, was 80 and a great-grandfather when his wife Wende gave birth to a daughter.

After marrying his second wife at the age of 54, crooner Bing Crosby went on to have three children.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone became a father for the first time last year at the age of 57.

But all of these men are mere youngsters compared to Charlie Chaplin, Anthony Quinn, Saul Bellow and Pablo Picasso, who all fathered children in their 80s.