Anne Hegerty, 66, from The Chase, shared her worries about dating. She talked about how her longest relationship only lasted four months and that she has never had children.

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.”

The Chase star Anne Hegerty has revealed her biggest fear about dating is having a man encroach on her personal space (pictured in June)

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.”

Speaking at The Paul Strank Roofing Charity Gala at The Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London (pictured at the event this month) she insisted she’d make a terrible partner

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.

(L-R) Shaun Wallace, Darragh Ennis, Anne Hegerty, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan and Mark Labbett on Beat The Chasers in 2021

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.”

3 Touching Stories of Children Who Help the Elderly No Matter What

In a world that often forgets its elders, some children go above and beyond to show kindness and warmth to the elderly. These stories capture heartfelt moments when young hearts bring joy and comfort to elderly souls, proving compassion knows no age.

From simple acts of kindness to selfless gestures, children can remind us of the power of compassion. Read on to see how these three young people lent a helping hand to older people around them and transformed lives through small but unforgettable acts of care.

A boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

A boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

1. I Promised to Water an Elderly Neighbor’s Plants, Then Found a Life-Changing Note in the Soil

It’s been nine years since that day, but I still remember every detail like it happened yesterday. I was only ten years old, cruising down the street on my bike when I spotted Mrs. Carrino arguing with a younger man.

She lived a few doors down, and I often saw her tending to her garden.

An older woman in her garden | Source: Freepik

An older woman in her garden | Source: Freepik

That day, I slowed my bike to a stop and watched as the man argued with her standing outside her house.

“I can’t come here to water your plants, Mom!” he shouted. “Not until you give me the house!”

I blinked, realizing this was her son. He looked irritated and stood with his arms crossed.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Carrino’s voice cracked as she answered him.

A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

“Arnold, I asked you to come and help me, and all you’re talking about is getting this house! Are you crazy? Do you want me to die so you can have my house?” Her voice grew louder, more desperate.

He rolled his eyes. “You’re being a drama queen, mother. This house will go to me anyway. I can’t believe you’re giving me this attitude when I came to help you move!”

“Just leave me alone if that’s how you’re going to act!” she said, waving him off.

An older woman looking at her son | Source: Midjourney

An older woman looking at her son | Source: Midjourney

He stormed off, brushing past me without a second glance.

Once he left, Mrs. Carrino noticed me standing there. She offered me a gentle smile despite the heartbreak she had just experienced.

“And who are you, young man?” she asked politely.

I introduced myself, explaining I was Caroline’s son from two doors down. I admitted I’d overheard a bit and asked if she was okay.

A boy talking to his neighbor | Source: Midjourney

A boy talking to his neighbor | Source: Midjourney

“Well, Daniel, I’m moving to a nursing home soon,” she said, looking down. “I asked my son to come help, but he only wanted to know if I’d give him the house.”

She sighed, then smiled at me. “He made a fuss after I asked him to water my plants. I guess you heard the rest.”

“Mrs. Carrino,” I began. “I, uh, I can do that. I mean… water your plants.”

“Really? But I can’t pay you, dear.”

“That’s not a problem,” I said, grinning. “I’ll still do it.”

A person holding a watering can | Source: Pexels

A person holding a watering can | Source: Pexels

A few days later, Mrs. Carrino moved to a nearby nursing home, and I kept my promise. Every day after school, I’d stop by her house and water her plants, checking to make sure they were thriving.

Over time, I developed a real interest in gardening and even started visiting Mrs. Carrino with my mom, sharing updates and asking if I could add a few new plants.

She was thrilled and encouraged me to expand her garden however I liked.

A woman talking to a kid | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to a kid | Source: Midjourney

I started using my small savings to buy new plants, hoping to grow enough to sell a few and help my mom with extra money.

One sunny afternoon, I was digging in the garden when my shovel struck something hard.

“What’s that?” I whispered.

Curious, I dropped to my knees and used my hands to dig out the hard object. It was a dusty mason jar with a note inside.

I quickly opened it and unfolded the note.

A boy reading a note | Source: Midjourney

A boy reading a note | Source: Midjourney

It read, Dear Daniel! Thank you for your help, this house is now yours! Go inside and find all the paperwork. You and your family can move in whenever you want!

Inside the jar, there was also a small key.

I assumed it was the house key and raced to the door. I fumbled with the key before it finally clicked.

I couldn’t believe it.

A close-up shot of a doorknob | Source: Pexels

A close-up shot of a doorknob | Source: Pexels

As I stepped inside, I found some papers on the kitchen counter. Though I couldn’t make sense of most of the legal words, I spotted my name at the bottom. I immediately knew this was something special.

I ran home and called Mrs. Carrino.

When I told her about the note, she laughed as though she knew I’d call.

“Come over with your mom tomorrow so I can explain how the transfer would work, dear,” she said. “I’m glad you found the jar!”

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking on the phone | Source: Midjourney

When I told my mom, she was speechless.

Soon, we moved into that house, and our lives changed. Mom didn’t have to stress about rent anymore and she could buy other things with that money instead.

We were beyond grateful, and from then on, my mom and siblings visited Mrs. Carrino often. We considered her a part of our family.

Looking back, I realize that moment shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined. All it took was a little kindness, and in return, I gained not just a house but a grandmother in Mrs. Carrino.

A person holding an older woman's hand | Source: Pexels

A person holding an older woman’s hand | Source: Pexels

2. I Paid for a Stranger’s Groceries, and It Led to My Grandma’s $230k Treatment

It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since that day. Now that I’m 18, looking back, I realize just how powerful one small act of kindness can be. My grandma is still with us, healthy and thriving, thanks to something I did as a kid without a second thought.

I was 12 back then, just running a quick errand for her at the grocery store when I noticed a woman in front of me at the checkout struggling.

“Oh, geez. I must have lost my wallet,” she said while rummaging through her handbag. “I’m so sorry. I’ll have to come back for these things later.”

She was about to leave the store when I spoke up.

A boy at a grocery store | Source: Midjourney

A boy at a grocery store | Source: Midjourney

“Wait ma’am,” I said without thinking. “You don’t have many things anyway. I’ll pay for them.”

“Oh, no. I couldn’t put you out like that,” she said after looking at me from head to toe. I think she was shocked to see a 12-year-old offering to help her.

“I insist, ma’am. Sometimes, we have to do good things, and karma will reward us later, right? That’s what my grandmother says all the time,” I said.

She hesitated, but I insisted.

A woman in a supermarket | Source: Midjourney

A woman in a supermarket | Source: Midjourney

I wasn’t rich, but I knew it was the right thing to do.

“Thank you so much,” she said. “I’m Mary. And you?”

“I’m Mark,” I replied.

“Thank you for what you did, Mark,” she smiled. “Listen, how about you give me your phone number so I can pay you back as soon as I get my wallet?”

I wrote down my number on the receipt and handed it to her. “Here, but don’t worry about it. There’s no rush. I live nearby anyway.”

“Alright, Mark,” she smiled and thanked me once again before leaving.

A woman talking to a boy | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to a boy | Source: Midjourney

I felt good, but honestly, I didn’t think much about it after that. My focus was on my grandma. She was in the hospital and needed a major surgery that we couldn’t afford.

I had started a GoFundMe, but it wasn’t going well.

A few days later, I heard a knock on my door. Mary came with her daughter, Anastacia, to return my money.

“Thank you once again, Mark,” Mary said. “How’s your grandma doing? Is she around?”

A woman asking a boy about his grandmother | Source: Midjourney

A woman asking a boy about his grandmother | Source: Midjourney

That’s when I explained our situation. They were shocked that I was raising money for her surgery on my own.

Then, they did something incredible. They offered to help.

Anastacia shared our GoFundMe link with everyone she knew. She even posted the story on Reddit, telling people how I had helped her mom.

At first, I didn’t think it would work, but the story started getting attention.

A boy using a phone | Source: Pexels

A boy using a phone | Source: Pexels

Soon, more people donated, and the story went viral.

And before I knew it, donations were pouring in, amounting to $230,000, which was enough for my grandma’s surgery. I was in shock.

I had only spent $20 to help Mary, and somehow, it had led to saving my grandma’s life.

Thanks to Mary and Anastacia, my grandma got the treatment she needed, and I’ll never forget how one act of kindness brought everything full circle.

A boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

A boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

3. My Son Decorated the House of a Lonely Old Lady for Halloween to Convince Her That the Holiday Is Worth Celebrating

Kevin has always adored Halloween. It’s his favorite time of year, hands down. Every October, he starts buzzing with ideas on how to turn our house into the spookiest spot on the street.

This year, as always, he’d collected everything he needed for his “Halloween masterpiece.”

One evening, he took a stroll down the block, noticing how everyone had decorated their houses with glowing pumpkins, ghosts, and ghouls.

Spooky Halloween jack-o'-lanterns | Source: Pexels

Spooky Halloween jack-o’-lanterns | Source: Pexels

He was practically glowing with excitement. But as he walked, something caught his eye that dimmed his smile.

One house stood dark and empty, the opposite of festive. No pumpkins. No cobwebs. Just a bare, lonely porch. It was Mrs. Kimbly’s house.

I knew he didn’t know her well, but he’d mowed her lawn a couple of times over the summer.

He told me about it when he got home. “Mom, Mrs. Kimbly’s house doesn’t have any decorations. I think she needs help.”

A boy talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney

A boy talking to his mother | Source: Midjourney

I told him maybe she didn’t want to decorate this year, but Kevin was certain.

“I don’t think she’s mad… I think she’s just sad. Halloween is supposed to be fun. She shouldn’t have to spend it feeling bad.”

That was my Kevin. His heart was as big as the world.

After I said it was okay to check on her, he gathered his decorations, even his favorite carved pumpkin, and went to her house.

He decorated her front porch and was super excited until he heard her yell behind him.

A carved pumpkin outside a house | Source: Pexels

A carved pumpkin outside a house | Source: Pexels

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I… I just wanted to decorate your house,” he stammered.

“I don’t need any decorations!” she shouted and removed the decorations. “Now go away!”

When Kevin returned home that night, he looked completely defeated. He told me how unhappy Mrs. Kimbly looked.

“Maybe she’s really lonely, honey,” I said gently. “Not everyone feels happy during the holidays.”

A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

A woman talking to her son | Source: Midjourney

On Halloween night, he dressed up as a vampire but looked less excited than usual. As we made our way down the street, he couldn’t stop glancing toward Mrs. Kimbly’s house.

It was still dark and empty, and I knew he was worried the other kids would see it as a target for pranks.

“Mom, I’m going to stay there,” he said suddenly. “I don’t want anyone to mess with her house.”

And that’s just what he did.

A boy standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney

A boy standing outdoors | Source: Midjourney

He took his candy bag and sat down on her porch steps. Whenever kids came up expecting candy, he’d give out some of his own, saying, “Mrs. Kimbly’s not home, but here’s something from me.”

His candy stash dwindled quickly, but he stayed put, determined to protect her home.

A little while later, the door creaked open, and Mrs. Kimbly stepped out.

“Kevin, what are you doing here?” she asked, surprised.

He looked up at her, then down at his almost empty candy bag.

A boy looking at his candy bag | Source: Midjourney

A boy looking at his candy bag | Source: Midjourney

“I just didn’t want anyone to mess with your house, Mrs. Kimbly,” he said quietly. “I know you don’t like Halloween, but I thought maybe I could help.”

Mrs. Kimbly’s face softened. She sat down beside him and took a deep breath.

“You’re right, Kevin,” she began slowly. “Halloween… it’s just… I’ve spent so many years alone. No kids, no grandkids. It didn’t seem worth celebrating anymore.”

“But you don’t have to be alone,” Kevin smiled. “You can celebrate with us. It’s more fun that way.”

A boy talking to his neighbor | Source: Midjourney

A boy talking to his neighbor | Source: Midjourney

She gave him a small, sad smile, her eyes glistening.

“Thank you, Kevin,” she whispered. “And I’m sorry for removing all the decorations. I shouldn’t have thrown the pumpkin away.”

Kevin’s smile was as warm as ever. “It’s okay, Mrs. Kimbly. I have another one at home. I’ll bring it over, and we can carve it together.”

Mrs. Kimbly chuckled, and that was a sound I’d never heard from her before. At that point, I felt emotional thinking what a kind boy Kevin has grown into.

He had brought Halloween back to Mrs. Kimbly’s heart through his little acts of kindness.

An older woman standing outside her house | Source: Midjourney

An older woman standing outside her house | Source: Midjourney

If you enjoyed reading these stories, here’s another one you might like: When my neighbors dumped their rotting Halloween leftovers on my lawn, they thought they’d make me clean up their mess. But after years of their petty antics, I decided it was time for a little payback that would expose a whole lot more than they’d bargained for.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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