THE difference between the sexes became apparent this morning with the news that Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood is about to become a father again at 68.

His third wife, theatre producer Sally, 37, is said to be around three months pregnant with twins, their first children together.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Their life has not been devoid of ankle-biters, however, for Sally has inherited four stepchildren and nine grandchildren thanks to Ronnie’s productivity, but she clearly wanted her own.

So as I was buying my morning cappuccino I read aloud The Sun’s announcement of this happy news.

The cheery lady who usually serves me with a smile and a friendly chat, growled “he’s a ********!” And I found myself nodding vigorously, but not really sure why.

So I trudged up the stairs to the office chuntering to myself about how Ronnie won’t be changing nappies and likely won’t be around for the twins’ 18th – although we’re all stunned how he’s managed to survive so far.

His face alone looks like it’s been pickled in formaldehyde, let alone his liver.

As I entered the office I passed on Ronnie’s news to a male colleague who beamed brightly and bellowed: “Good on him.”

In fact, there was a frisson of excitement among the boy journalists who were clearly overwhelmed with joy that Ronnie wasn’t firing blanks despite being almost 70. It had the opposite effect on a sensible female colleague who deemed Ronnie’s behaviour as irresponsible. “But why?”, piped up a jubilant male. “At least those kids will be rich.”

So why exactly does this news bring such profoundly different reactions from men and women? After all, if Ronnie did suddenly meet his maker, the Wood twins wouldn’t be the first kids to grow up without a dad and they would be well provided for.

It all comes down to the hoary old chestnut of biological inequality. Men, despite their age and looks, can always reinvent themselves with a young partner and continue the species, providing everything is in working order. Women, on the other hand, have to take what Mother Nature throws at them and make the best of a bad job. For men like Ronnie, time is most definitely on their side.