Lionel Richie dreaded being a grandfather

LIONEL RICHIE said he thought his career was over when he found out he was going to be a grandfather.

The legendary singer said he was stunned when adopted daughter Nicole told him she was pregnant.

The 59-year-old - who has been in the music industry for over 30 years - said he thought that was the end of his sex appeal.

He said: "I went through panic when I thought I'm going to be a grandpa - that's the end of my career! But I'm having more fun now with the responsibility of being a grandpa - that is, playing with the baby and then handing her back!"

Richie also revealed Nicole - whose daughter Harlow is now 14 months old and is pregnant with her second child - caused him serious concern when she went through her "wild child" phase.

He said the 27-year-old The Simple Life star had never "given us one day of a dull moment"

He added: "The career was doing great but Nicole wasn't doing great at that time. There is no teenager rule book.

"Finally when she made it to the other side about 22 and 23, it was finally a big relief!"