Rod defends age gap

Rod Stewart has launched an offensive against Sir Paul McCartney, saying the former Beatle is never criticised for having a much younger wife.

Stewart, 58, complains about being a constant victim of sideswipes for dating 32-year-old Penny Lancaster.

But he says Sir Paul, 60, has escaped comment despite being married to former model Heather Mills, 26 years his junior.

'What p***** me off is they never have a go at Paul McCartney for marrying a younger woman,' Stewart says in a Radio Times interview. 'He's 60 and Heather is 34, but they kill me because of Penny. Perhaps it's because he has a knighthood, a wonderful little honour to be bestowed on one.'

Stewart also expresses regrets over his marriage to estranged wife Rachel Hunter, the New Zealand model and mother of two of his children.

He says: 'I should have known, silly bugger, not to marry her. She was only 20 and I was 45. She hadn't lived. If we met now it would probably be a whole different kettle of fish.'

It was a far cry from his comments early on in his relationship to Miss Hunter, now 34, when he claimed: 'The age difference doesn't worry me.'

Stewart admits that the break-up of his nine-year marriage left him devastated, saying: 'We are all vulnerable. I'm still shell- shocked about what happened with Rachel.' He goes on to describe some of his musical contemporaries in unflattering terms.

Using his nickname for Sir Elton John - Sharon - he comments: 'She doesn't invite me to any of her dos, the miserable bugger. Perhaps she doesn't want competition.

'My hair is nice and real and looks it, and hers doesn't. No, I take that back. He looks good at the moment, but he could lose a bit of timber.'

Stewart's long musical career is celebrated in the stage show Tonight's The Night, which opens next week.

But he feels his efforts haven't been properly recognised. 'I don't know why I haven't got any honour. I do my bit for charity. Maybe it will come along - the OBE: Ordered Out Of the British Empire.'

He adds: 'I'd love to have an honour, and before I'm the wrong side of the grass I'd like to win a Grammy to put on the mantelpiece for the kids.

'It's astounding I've never won one, considering people like Christopher Cross won five in one year, and he's disappeared.

'They tend not to give it to the British - unless you're Sting.'