Celebrity dad David Beckham - is he a New Dad?

The survey - of 1,287 fathers aged over 16 - was carried out by NOP for the men's fragrance Chrome by Azzaro.

The study suggest dads are becoming more demonstrative.

Almost half said they were more affectionate to their children than their own fathers were to them.

Just one per cent of those questioned said they were less affectionate than their own fathers had been.

Family life

Dr Alessandra Lemma, NHS consultant clinical psychologist and honorary senior lecturer at University College London believes men now want to be more involved in family life.

She said: "Trends suggest that when it comes to childcare, fathers are more present figures.

"For example, there have been gradual, but consistent changes, in the degree to which fathers have been willing to be involved in the period after childbirth, including a willingness to get up at night and change nappies."

Dr Lemma says men are increasingly demanding family-friendly work polices.

"They seek work environments where it is possible to 'phone in and say you will be late for work because your child needs you at home.

"Environments where such a request is validated as a sign of being more of a man than the one who ignores his child's needs and views them as the preserve of the mother," she said.

Despite the signs of the emergence of a "New Dad", fathers themselves say they would like to spend more time with their children.

A total of 46% of fathers aged 25-34 questioned said they did not feel they spent enough time with their children.