Her working life is that of a modern career woman, combining a string of television appearances with running her own successful business.

But Kirstie Allsopp, 39, has revealed that it is her traditional, "Stepford wife" approach at home that is the key to her happiness.

Allsopp said she thought women should put their men first, arguing it made for a better relationship.

She said: "If you do what your partner prefers, he is happy and the children have a great time too."

The presenter lives with property developer Ben Andersen, their sons Bay, 5, and Oscar, 2, and her stepsons Orion, 12, and 9-year-old Hal.

She told Hello magazine: "Your relationship with your partner will last far longer than your children are going to be at home.

"If you let that relationship slide when your children are little, it might disintegrate and you might not be able to rescue it. So at the weekend I let Ben choose what we do."

She said being nasty to men was "pointless". Allsopp, who co-presents Location, Location, Location, a British property show, added that ensuring men have enough sleep and food was also essential to cordial relations.

She said: "If you want to talk about feelings make sure they have a full stomach when you do it."

She said her mother had given her similar advice when she was younger and that she had since found that "if I want to talk to Ben about something difficult, I shouldn't do it when he walks through the door after work. That is the best way to have a flaming row."

Contented life

Allsopp said she was happy to make sacrifices for her family because she had wanted to be a wife and mother since she was 16.

She said: "I have what I want in life. Two adorable children, two great stepchildren and a partner I adore."

Allsopp is not the first star to reveal she adopts a "Stepford Wife" approach — a term derived from the 1972 novel about a community of apparently perfect housewives who turn out to be robots — despite being a busy career woman.

Earlier this year TV presenter Davina McCall admitted she "played second fiddle" at home with her husband, former Pet Rescue presenter Matthew Robertson.

Mother of three, McCall, 43, said: "What he says goes. I know that, the kids know that and it works."