Penny Lancaster has warned men who are trying for a baby to step away from the oven.

The model, married to Rod Stewart, was on today’s episode of ITV talk show Loose Women where she was asked about comments she’d made during a previous appearance on the programme that men should not be expected to cook for the family.

In comments that shocked many viewers, Penny had said: “When men come home I think it’s more a case of being more a part of the family, being with the children, spending more time with the children, being a strong role model.

“But going as far as cooking and putting the apron on, I think that, not belittles men, but takes the masculinity and I would miss that.”

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster
Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Now, Penny has clarified her remarks by claiming they were to do with her concerns for men’s fertility.

She said: “I thought it was a very innocent comment at the time. I know there are many celebrity male chefs out there that are happy to cook and I’m sure there are a lot of men that are happy to cook but to insist and make men have to stand at the oven, obviously it wouldn’t be a joy to lots of men’s ears and I kind of agree with that.”

Penny has two young sons, Aiden and Alastair, with Rod – who is a dad of eight, and revealed their doctor had advised him to change out of his trademark tight trousers.

Penny Lancaster
Penny Lancaster (Yui Mok/PA)

Continuing to talk about her last Loose Women appearance, she said: “Afterwards I reflected and thought, ‘You know what? What really defines a man?’ And what separates them from us is their baby-making ability of having the sperm and when Rod and I were trying to make our second child we were having a few troubles and a doctor said, ‘Rod, you’ve got to forget wearing the tight pants and the trousers, ok? Get rid of the Calvin Kleins, do the loose boxer shorts, no hot baths’.

“Then I spoke with a very famous celebrity chef, who said he was having similar issues trying to produce a baby and they had told him one of the problems is because you are standing by the oven, and men are designed the way they are, to keep it on the outside of the body, to keep them cool and when they are standing there by the oven, they are heating them up.

“So anyone out there, any men, don’t use this as an excuse necessarily but if you’re trying to make a baby and are having problems, don’t go near the oven!”