Anne Hegerty, known as The Governess on ITV's The Chase, has candidly discussed her challenges with romance and intimacy, revealing that her Asperger's syndrome can cause her to 'zone out' during sex. The 64-year-old quiz show star, who was diagnosed with autism at 45, told OK! magazine that she finds close relationships overwhelming.
In the interview, Hegerty explained: 'I get overwhelmed in the presence of actual people and everything shuts down. I've found that with sex, too. It's like I can't be fully in it. That much intimacy, I almost zone out.' She added that she tends to fall for unobtainable figures, such as historical or fictional characters, rather than people she meets in real life.
Appearing on Loose Women last year, Hegerty described her ideal partner as someone intelligent with a love of reading, though they need not share her passion for quizzing. She also dismissed rumours that she is gay, saying she has to 'let down gently' fans who hope she is a lesbian. She previously had a Californian boyfriend, but her longest relationship lasted just four months, leaving her feeling 'suffocated'.
Hegerty, who has no children, told the Mirror that she enjoys being single and values her peace and quiet. 'It's brilliant. I really don't feel I'm missing out on relationships. I'm doing fine,' she said. She also shut down false reports that she was married to a man named Jake Hester, stating she had never heard of him.
