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Bernie Ecclestone says he doesn't change nappies as 'that's what wives are for'

SOCHI, RUSSIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Bernie Ecclestone, Chairman Emeritus of the Formula One Group, looks on in the Paddock before final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on September 28, 2019 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Bernie Ecclestone before final practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Russia on September 28, 2019 in Sochi, Russia. (Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Bernie Ecclestone has sparked a backlash after admitting he doesn’t change his baby’s nappies because “that's what wives are for”.

The former Formula One boss welcomed son Ace with his wife Fabiana Flosi this month – at the age of 89.

The couple were chatting about their new arrival on ITV’s This Morning when hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield asked if Ecclestone was hands on with the baby.

Read more: Tamara Ecclestone says dad Bernie is a 'young soul'

Flosi, 44, said Ecclestone “helps” and “looks after him”, but the businessman confessed he doesn’t change nappies or do the night feeds.

"Hands on, except for that bit?” asked Willoughby.

Ecclestone replied: “Exactly. I do whatever is necessary when it's necessary. At the moment it’s not necessary - that's what wives are for."

When Schofield suggested that his words might be a bit “controversial”, Ecclestone joked that lots of his comments seemed to be.

“It’s how people take them,” he added.

Formula One former boss Bernie Ecclestone, is flanked by his wife Fabiana Flosi, prior to the start of the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix, at the Formula One Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain, Sunday, April 16, 2017. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Bernie Ecclestone and his wife Fabiana Flosi in 2017 (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

And it seems Schofield was right, as several viewers took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

“I don't think so matey. If you're young enough at 89 to have another child in this day & age, you're young enough to pull your weight & do your dad duties too,” said one person.

“‘That's what wives are for’. He really is a charmer!” said another.

One viewer said Ecclestone was “living in the stone age”.

Read more: Bernie Ecclestone - I don’t see what’s different about being a father at 89

Ecclestone, who will be 90 in October, also has three daughters.

He is father to Deborah, 65, with first wife Ivy Bamford, and Tamara, 35, and Petra, 31, with second wife Slavica Radic.

He told Schofield and Willoughby he hasn’t ruled out having another baby, saying it would be nice for Ace to have a little brother or sister.