TIT’S WHAT HE WOULD HAVE WANTED

Salutes the legend Lord Bath, who sadly died last weekend

FLASHBACK: Our trio of topless models ( Elise, Adele and Petra visit fan Lord Bath

THE ruthless scythe of coronavirus has cut a huge swathe though Britain since it arrived on our blessed shores.

Thousands of families are mourning lost loved ones and the contagion is no respecter of rank or fame.

Last weekend, Britain’s most colourful toff was carried off by the plague.

Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath, sadly passed away last weekend at the age of 87 after being admitted to hospital on March 28.

Lord of Longleat House in Wiltshire and boss of the animal park famed for its pride of lions, he was known as the ‘ Loins of Longleat’ for his randy ways.

Lord Bath kept around 70 mistresses, who he called wifelets, in cottages scattered across the 9,000- acre estate.

He was rarely out of the gossip columns – once appearing when two wifelets had a fight over who slept with him that night.

And, naturally, he was a huge friend of Sunday Sport.

Back in 2002, we sent models Adele Stephens, Elise Taylor and Petra to visit him in his private rooms at Longleat.

He was even offered the job as Sunday Sport Chief Nipple Counter but had to decline due to his work at Longleat.

Recently, Lord Bath made the news again after his daughter- in- law Emma Weymouth appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.

Emma, who is married to Alexander’s eldest son Ceawlin, revealed her “deepest sadness” at her dad- in- law’s death.

Emma, 34, is now Marchioness of Bath as her husband assumes the title of 8th Marquess of Bath.

TRAGIC LOSS: Alexander ( and ( the new Marchioness of Bath, Emma