Former Blue Peter presenter Anthea Turner has spoken candidly about how her sex life has been spectacularly reignited in her sixties, attributing the change to hormone replacement therapy and a new romantic relationship.
A New Chapter with Fiancé Mark Armstrong
Anthea Turner, now 65, gave a frank interview to The Sunday Times Style Magazine, discussing life after menopause and her romance with millionaire businessman fiancé Mark Armstrong. She dismissed the notion that romance fades in your sixties, stating emphatically: "Oh God, no, that's not how it works for me."
She explained that while desire can diminish during menopause, it doesn't have to be permanent. Turner declared herself a "fully paid-up member of the HRT club" and praised the combination of treatment and new love for "igniting everything again." She became engaged to Armstrong just months after they met, following a proposal during a trip to Italy.
Reflecting on a Past Marriage and Menopause
The presenter's current happiness contrasts sharply with the end of her previous marriage. She was married to property developer Grant Bovey for 15 years, from 2000 until their divorce in 2015. The marriage, which began after Turner left her first husband, Radio 1 DJ Peter Powell, in 1998, ultimately ended on the grounds of Bovey's adultery.
Turner revealed that around the age of 52, as her marriage began to fail, she initially blamed her own fluctuating hormones and feeling low for the relationship's demise. She even wrote a letter to Bovey pleading with him to understand the impact of menopause on her behaviour, unaware that he was already being unfaithful.
It was later discovered that Bovey, then 52, was having an affair with interior designer Zoe de Mallet Morgan. This discovery came less than a year after Turner had forgiven him for a previous indiscretion with another woman. Despite the betrayal, Turner has stated she does not regret marrying Bovey.
Embracing Life and Love After 60
Now firmly in a new chapter with Mark Armstrong, Anthea Turner's story is one of personal revival. Her candid discussion highlights the transformative potential of HRT for many women and challenges stereotypes about sexuality and ageing.
She summarised her optimistic outlook, suggesting that when you are older, relationships can move quicker because "when you know, you know." Her experience serves as a powerful testament to finding passion and partnership later in life.
