A Russian actress physically assaulted a female audience member during a chat show after the other woman criticised her for having a baby at 49.

Evelina Bledans, who is expecting her third child, had been invited to come on the show 'Live' to speak about falling pregnant later in life.

However, an audience member accused her of endangering her unborn child's health, pointing out that Ms Bledans has a young son with Down syndrome.

Fierce mama: Russian actress Evelina Bledans slapped an audience member who criticised her decision to undergo IVF treatment at 49 during a chat-show called Live

Ms Bledan's youngest son Semyon was born in 2012 and has Down syndrome

Audience member Elena Lebedeva said live on air: 'It is dangerous to give birth between the ages of 35 and 40 so what about 49? What were you thinking?

'Do you want to give birth to another sick child?

'Will you give birth to another child with Down syndrome? Nobody needs such a child, not society and not you.'

During Lebedeva's diatribe, Ms Bledans tries to calmly interrupt but without any success.

She coolly gets to her feet and strolls over to the audience member while one of the guests tries to diffuse the tension by telling Lebedeva to leave the studio.

Critical: Audience member Elena Lebedeva ashed Ms Bledans if she wanted to 'give birth to another sick child', referring to her son who has Down Syndrome

Hitting out: After being criticised - and her son being dragged into the argument - Ms Bledans walked over to the irate audience member

Defender: Ms Bledans, 49, slapped Lebedeva, saying: 'You can say anything about me, but leave my children alone!'

Ms Bledans stands in front of the audience member and says: 'You wretch, I will smack you! This is for my child, understand?'

She adds: 'You can say anything about me, but leave my children alone!'

Ms Bledan's youngest son Semyon, who she shares with TV producer Alexander Semin, was born in 2012 and has Down syndrome. Ms Bledan and Semin divorced last year and she is now expecting a girl after undergoing IVF treatment.

Her eldest son Nikolay, 24, currently lives in Israel.