Friday December 3rd, 2004

Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher has scrapped plans to invest in erotic products firm Beate Uhse because rude jokes on German television were damaging his reputation.

Schumacher, younger brother of World Champion Michael, announced last week that he was joining a 50-50 investment of two million euros ($2.6 million) to set up eight sex product shops in Slovenia next year.

"The whole thing has unfortunately been turned into a campaign and being a role model is more important to me than any investment," Ralf told Bild newspaper on Friday.

Shares of Beate Uhse slipped in trading on the Frankfurt stock exchange on Friday, falling 1.7 percent to 10.51 euros.

Published at 13:08:41 GMT

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