Scottish singer and would-be parliamentarian Donnie Munro, a political ally of Mr Tony Blair, has shown the PM the way by becoming a father at the age of 46.

Munro became a father for the fourth time, something Mr Blair is also preparing to experience.

Mrs Teresa Munro, 40, gave birth to a 10lb 14oz girl, Tanith Rose, at Glasgow's Queen Mother's Hospital on Tuesday night after a 200-mile dash from the couple's home in Skye.

''I am delighted. Mother and daughter are doing well. At least I've given Tony Blair the lead in one thing,'' said Munro.

During the last General Election Munro and the Prime Minister swopped a joke about how they wanted to have been each other.

The two families already had the same number and sex of children.

Munro, who has consulted with the Prime Minister on Scottish issues and attended private receptions at Downing Street, has even sent his political master a note about middle-aged fatherhood.

''I just congratulated him and Cherie. I'll let him know how tiring it is in six months time,'' said Munro, who stood for Labour in both the last Westminster and Scottish parliamentary elections.

''I remember chatting to Tony in Edinburgh during the General Election, and him saying 'here we are, a politician who wanted to be a rock star and a rock star who wants to be a politician'.

''Now we have at least one thing in common - middle age fatherhood, with three kids already under our belts. I've beaten him to the fourth. But I did not give him any tips on that score.''

The former Runrig singer, who on Monday released a charity single Will You Walk On By? endorsed by mother of Diana, Princess of Wales, Mrs Frances Shand Kydd, said: ''We knew the baby was a girl but kept it secret. We had to keep some element of surprise. Mind you, it was enough of a surprise becoming a father at 46.

''It is quite uncanny these fatherhood similarities with Tony Blair. Some people have even joked that being in the party has really been a Labour of love.''