Speaking to the Telegraph, she said the DUP leader was fit, able and doing a good job of steering the province through the early stages of devolution.

Many people in the party, and the Free Presbyterian Church, believe Baroness Paisley was instrumental in persuading her husband to agree to the devolution deal with Sinn Fein.

The peer admitted that while great strides had been made she wanted Mr Paisley to continue leading the Assembly until normality has been achieved.

She said: "I want him to stay on, especially since he has been in this new government leading the country.

"He is doing a jolly good job. If he was not I would be the first one to say to him 'give it up'.

"His health is excellent, his mind is sharp and his body is strong.

"I would like him to continue until he has done what he set out to and that is achieve peace and prosperity and normality.

"If my husband finished the task I think it would be for the betterment of this country.

"It is not a selfish thing. We would have a much easier life if he wasn't doing this."

Her comments came as it was revealed the DUP is to hold an annual conference for the first time in more than two years.

And for the first time the event in Armagh will stretch across two days, in the autumn.

The timing is likely to fuel speculation, however, about the choreography for a succession in the party to Mr Paisley, following the formal resignation yesterday of his Junior Minister son, Ian Paisley Jnr.

Dr Paisley turns 82 in April and has already agreed to step down as moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church.

Baroness Paisley made her feelings about her husband's future known to a handful of senior DUP politicians in a private meeting after persistent rumours about plans to ease him out.

Earlier this month Dublin- based bookmaker Paddy Power gave 4/5 odds for the First Minister to retire. DUP insiders also claim he is expected to leave office by autumn at the latest.

A senior party source said: "It is a very close and loving relationship and they have always shared everything. His wife is his most trusted and closest confident, even more than Paisley Jnr. She would like him to stay but he is more accepting of the fact that that is not achievable.

"Given all the circumstances it is coming to the latter stages. There is a growing acceptance that it is going to happen, despite Mrs Paisley's wishes.

"We are in a process of change. Three dates keep being mentioned - May, after the one year anniversary and the American investment conference, at the end of the Assembly year or when they come back from recess."

But Baroness Paisley added: " Whatever he decides to do is up to him and I am with him all the way. If he felt he was not able to carry on he would step down today.

" There are always rumours, nothing surprises me."

Baroness Paisley's comments come on the day after her son Ian Jnr stepped down as a junior minister in the Assembly after announcing nine days ago that he was quitting following months of negative stories about his links to a property developer.

MP Jeffrey Donaldson was sworn in as his successor.