Vanessa Feltz has insisted that it is "not easy" to be in an age gap relationship. The broadcast legend, 64, split from pop star Ben Ofoedu, 54, in 2023 after 16 years together when she discovered he had been unfaithful.
Dating Again
More recently, the former Strictly Come Dancing star has been open and honest about her attempts to get back on the dating scene and recently went out with a "much younger man" but, candidly admitted that she has never been "more conscious" of her age than when there was a gap.
She said: "Oh gosh I'm sure they can work if you're lucky enough to find a kindred spirit. I wouldn't legislate against them but let no one imagine for a second that age gap is just a number, that is a cliché it's not true and let no one think that if you're in an age gap relationship you're not more conscious of your age than you are in your entire life."
This Morning Debate
Vanessa was making an appearance Monday's This Morning during a debate with hosts Andi Peters and Rochelle Hulmes, as well as Made In Chelsea's Ashley James, and explained that sometimes there is an expectation for the older one in such a relationship to play a parental role before listing other drawbacks and one positive of being intimate with someone much younger.
She added: "Can it work? Yes. Is it easy? No. And there's a whole mummy/daddy thing going on. If you're the end up being, and I certainly didn't want to be, mother to this hulking great adult."
"And also, conversationally, they haven't heard of Wacky Races, they've never read a book. The sex is meant to be spiritual and energetic at least."
A Disastrous Date
Just weeks ago, Vanessa admitted that she had been trying her luck with dating again but went out with someone who was "significantly younger" than her and it all went a bit awry despite her high hopes for the evening.
She said: "He was an artist, he was significantly younger than me. He said something like 'Oh, you look beautiful,' and we were getting on the same tube. He made a fast move on me and a girl who I didn't know and had never met but she was sitting opposite said 'Go on, go on, V!'"
"So I did go out with him for dinner one night and he was one of the ones who tells you about his very sad life. I went in all sparkles and thinking, 'Oh, we met on the escalator, there's got to be a good story here...'"
Speaking on Best's Suddenly Single podcast, she added: "But he was serious and quick in this very long dinner. Also, terrible mistake, never do this, wasn't my fault, I didn't realise this had happened but he booked one of those tasting menus that goes on for about 10 years."
"Because you don't see the menu, I had no idea how many courses it was going to be. I think it might even have been eleven! It just went on and on and on, and you don't know how many so you don't know how much to eat because you don't know when you're going to get full!"
"And he was so busy into his tragic life story, I'm really sorry he had a terrible life and everything but I didn't know him. It felt like course 107, and I am polite, I don't get up and walk out but I really would've loved to. I wanted to say 'Look mate, we've done nine courses, I don't like the food, and I don't like you very much, I'm sorry you've had a terrible life but I never want to see you again.'"
"But I felt that would be really rude, So I felt I had to sit through it it took about 10 years to get to the end of it. I had really lost the will to live. I was holding my head on my hand just to stop myself from falling under the table. But I did try. Surely it's a numbers game and it will end up all right in the end?"
