Anne Hegerty, known from The Chase, shared that her biggest fear about dating is having a man invade her personal space.
The quizzer, who was diagnosed with autism at 45, opened up about her challenges, mentioning a time when she unplugged her phone to stop a boyfriend from contacting her.
At The Paul Strank Roofing Charity Gala in Kensington, London, she honestly said that she thinks she would make a terrible partner.
Anne, 66, said, “I really struggle with being close to others and having anyone else in the house.
“I think a lot of autistic people don’t get married or settle down.”
Anne explained, “I don’t even have pets because of this, and my ability to live with other people is getting smaller. I need a lot of alone time.
“I always feel like I need more space than anyone can give me. If I wanted a relationship, I could find one, but honestly, I don’t.”
She also mentioned that her longest relationship only lasted four months. Reflecting on that time, she said, “It only worked for those few months because I was in Manchester. I kind of set it up so it wouldn’t last.”
In the end, she wrote to him to end things. “I remember crying with relief and then crying with guilt,” she shared.
Anne felt overwhelmed during that relationship. “Sometimes, I unplugged the phone because he tried to call me every day. I just wanted it to be over.
“I’d sit there waiting for the phone to ring, thinking, ‘Don’t phone, don’t phone, don’t phone!’ Other times, to get over the waiting, I’d call him, but that made him think I wanted to talk. I really just wanted to end it. I didn’t want to talk to him or anyone!”
Anne joked that she hasn’t lacked offers from admirers who seem to like her “Mrs. Trunchbull” Governess outfit.
She said, “I’m sure some people are attracted to the whole look of The Governess. I think there are some who might be interested if they let me.”
Anne said, “I do meet attractive men, but I know it won’t work out. I feel like it’s not fair to them because I won’t treat them well.”
She added, “I always want more space than they can give me. If I wanted a relationship, I could find someone, but I don’t.”
She thinks it’s better not to date at all and enjoys having men as friends more than women. She recalled a quiz she attended in June, where a woman pointed out they were the only two women in the room, but Anne hadn’t even noticed because she was talking to her male friends.
Anne also shared that this is part of why she never had children, even though she is great with kids. “I did want children, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to handle it very well.”
About 20 years ago, two kids from her neighborhood used to come over. “We limited their visits to just one hour a day, but they always wanted to stay longer. They were wonderful kids, and we’re now friends on Facebook, but I couldn’t handle that for more than an hour.”
Anne takes her role as godmother to Mark “Beast” Labbett’s eight-year-old son, Lawrence, very seriously.
She said, “Lawrence’s birthday is at the end of November, so I usually send a birthday and Christmas present at the same time—but they are not the same gift. My parents had winter birthdays, and I knew they hated getting just one present for two celebrations.”
Anne joked that one of the gifts she gave Lawrence was a bit inappropriate—a toy crossbow. “So, weaponry,” she laughed. “But lately, I’ve been giving him Minecraft vouchers since he really loves that.”
She also mentioned that she has spent Christmas alone for the past 40 years. That’s why she’s especially happy to be playing the Fairy Godmother in this year’s panto, Cinderella, in Scarborough.
Anne, who was on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here in 2018, said, “Now that I’m in panto, I can say, ‘Sorry, I’m in Scarborough!’ and that’s my only day off.”
She sees it as a great day off. Even though many people invite her to spend Christmas with them, she prefers not to. “I don’t do Christmas dinner or a tree. When I was a kid, I just remember all the pine needles everywhere!”
Earlier this year, Anne took on another acting role, making a cameo as a neighbor in a film called Exorcising Barry, which is about a man obsessed with a demon.
Anne said that any chance of going to Hollywood is out of the question.
She explained, “America wouldn’t want me because I’m fat. I have a friend who went there for work, and even though she looks amazing, they told her she needed to lose weight. I’m fine with how I am, but they don’t like fat British actresses.”
Despite this, she has had great success in Britain. Talking about The Chase’s recent National Television Award win, she said, “I’m so happy. Bradley Walsh is amazing. It’s been 14 years, and I love it.”
She added, “Other kids used to sing in front of the mirror with a hairbrush. When I was younger, I practiced being interviewed for when I became famous. I don’t know why, but it’s always been my dream.”
It’s Been A Rough Few Years For Simon Cowell, And They Changed His Life
Simon Cowell has experienced multiple health issues as a result of two separate bicycle accidents that occurred over a two-year period.
Simon and the other judges from America’s Got Talent openly acknowledged these instances during their recent appearance on the Today Show. The show’s hosts were Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Terry Crews.
The 64-year-old celebrity experienced the same fate when pedalling about London in early 2022 after falling from his e-bike in Malibu in 2020.
Simon was questioned about how these losses had changed his perspective on life in a promotional piece for the forthcoming 18th season of America’s Got Talent.
When asked how he felt physically before the tragedies, he replied, “wasn’t in the best shape before the mishaps, so they were far from terrific, rather quite terrible.” I didn’t understand how unsuited I truly was until the healing process.
And then he said, “It was a revelation, a true god’ moment!” Simon saw his unwavering zeal for riding and remarked that he believed everything happened for a reason.
He exclaimed, “I’m not giving up on my bike,” much to the delight of his fellow actors. I can’t get enough of these amazing inventions.
After the second incident, Simon was taken to the hospital, where he was found to have a broken arm and a concussion.
London,England,27th August 2014 : Simon Cowell attends The X Factor – press launch at The Ham Yard Hotel in London. Photo by See Li
Although the second crash wasn’t as bad as the first, it nevertheless resulted in him breaking his back and necessitated him wearing a wrist brace for several months. After these incidents, Simon changed his lifestyle, notably for the benefit of his son Eric, who is nine years old. Simon’s fiancée Lauren Silverman served as motivation.
In an interview with The Sun in April of last year, he discussed dealing with the fallout from his e-bike accident.
He remarked, “I was in such a terrible place when I fractured my back that I considered going to therapy for the first time in my life.”
I was miserable because I couldn’t express how I was feeling to Eric. I wondered when I would be able to resume activities with him, like playing football and taking walks.
Eric was born to Simon and Lauren on February 14, 2014. After his bike accidents, the TV celebrity claimed that his child had come up with a humorous new nickname for him.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Britain’s Got Talent judge acknowledged that he felt “embarrassed” after watching the episodes at home.
After surgery, Simon’s back is held together by metal rods and screws, but he took comfort in the fact that his kid made a comparison between him and the well-known superhero Iron Man.
Simon joked back to the pair, “After hurting my back, I got to the point where I would go around the garden with Eric, believing it was a fantastic accomplishment. Nonetheless, I couldn’t stop myself from doing it without thinking, “Maybe not such a great idea!”
Simon’s path of fortitude and reflection serves as evidence of the unbreakable determination that propels him ahead.
Despite the difficulties caused by the bicycle accidents, he keeps up his excitement for cycling and for life in general, while still finding humour in his misadventures.
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