Michael Owen has said he is "not soft enough" to tell his children he loves them, preferring "tough love" instead. The 46-year-old former Liverpool and England striker is a father of four with his wife Louise.

Gemma, 23, is an international dressage rider who appeared on Love Island.

James, 20, was a promising youth footballer whose career was cut short by a rare eye condition.

Emily, 18, is a regional athletics champion, and Jessica, 16, shares the family's passion for horses.

Owen said his children are his "most precious things in the world" but insisted that being a soft parent is not in his nature.

He told former Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing on the Great Company podcast: "I'm not one of those dads who tells their kids they love them. I don't say things like that.

"I just automatically think my actions will let you know that I do. It's not a good thing. I think most people are like that."

Laing interjected: "It's not a good thing, it's unhealthy."

But Owen continued: "But if you're saying it all the time, does it mean anything?

"Kissing your kids, taking them to school, and then whatever they do, you just say 'well done' all the time, even if they've been terrible—you just say 'oh, you tried your best.' No, I'm tough love.

"I'm not advocating it because I wish I was a bit softer.

"I think it's an age thing as well. You get older and you get a bit more mature, you have more time to think about things and understand what they really mean.

"I'm certainly softer than I was, but still not soft enough to say things like that."

Owen, who retired in 2013, now runs Manor House Stables in Cheshire with his family.

A recent fly-on-the-wall documentary called 'Keeping Up With The Owens' gave fans a glimpse into their family life and their efforts to achieve further sporting success.

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