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.”
For those who don’t understand this
At the beginning of a relationship, everything feels like a fairytale. Butterflies, compliments, sweet words, and affectionate gestures define the early stages of romance. It’s as if your partner can do no wrong, and every conversation is filled with warmth and tenderness.
But fast forward a few years, and things change. The sweet sugar of new love turns into something a little more… let’s say, citrusy. Those once-soft words might now include playful sarcasm, teasing, and brutally honest remarks. Does this mean love has faded? Absolutely not!
For those who don’t understand, this shift is actually a sign of real love—a transition from the excitement of something new to the comfort of something strong. Let’s break it down.
New Love: When Everything is Sugar and Spice
When love is new, girls (and guys too) tend to speak in the sweetest way possible.
✔ They compliment everything from your smile to the way you tie your shoes.
✔ They say good morning texts like they’re writing poetry.
✔ They laugh at all your jokes, even the bad ones.
✔ They use soft, gentle tones, always trying to be the best version of themselves.
This stage is exciting, passionate, and full of sweetness, just like sugar. It’s a time when both partners put in extra effort to impress each other and avoid conflicts at all costs.
But here’s the reality: this phase doesn’t last forever—and that’s not a bad thing.
Long Love: When Things Get More… ‘Lime-Flavored’
As the relationship matures, the sugar-coating starts to wear off. This doesn’t mean the love is gone—it just means both partners are now comfortable enough to be their real selves.
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✔ Less sugar, more spice: Instead of constant compliments, you now get teasing, playful sarcasm, and inside jokes.
✔ Honest communication: She won’t pretend to love your bad haircut—she’ll straight-up tell you to fix it.
✔ More “tough love”: If you’re slacking on something, she won’t hesitate to call you out on it—but always with love.
✔ Teasing replaces flattery: Instead of saying, “You’re so handsome,” she might say, “You really think that outfit matches? Cute.”
At first, it may seem like she’s become “mean”, but the truth is, she’s just comfortable enough to be 100% real with you.
Why This Change is a Good Thing
Many people panic when they notice their partner doesn’t act the same as they did in the early days. But this change isn’t bad—it’s actually proof that the relationship has entered a deeper stage of love.
Here’s why:
✔ Comfort = Authenticity – She’s not trying to impress you anymore; she’s just being herself. That means the love is real, not a performance.
✔ Teasing = Affection – Playful sarcasm is often a sign of deep emotional connection. The fact that she feels safe enough to joke around with you means she trusts you.
✔ Honesty = Growth – She’s no longer telling you what you want to hear; she’s telling you what you need to hear, helping you become the best version of yourself.
Think of it like this: sugar tastes great, but too much of it is unhealthy. A little lime, though? It keeps things fresh and exciting!
Signs That Your Relationship Has Transitioned from Sugar to Citrus (And That’s Okay!)
1. The compliments slow down, but the actions speak louder
She may not say “you’re so amazing” as often, but she’ll show love in other ways—by supporting your goals, remembering the little things you like, and sticking with you through tough times.
2. There’s more teasing, but it’s all love
Instead of praising every single thing you do, she now teases you—but in a way that brings you closer.
3. She tells you the truth, even when it’s not what you want to hear
If she cares about you, she won’t let you walk around with bad fashion choices or a dumb idea. She’ll call you out, but only because she wants the best for you.
4. “Good morning” texts turn into “Don’t forget to pay that bill”
It may seem less romantic, but it’s a sign that she’s thinking about your life together, not just the honeymoon phase.
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What to Do When the Sweetness Fades
Instead of worrying, embrace it! This phase of love is where real connection and long-term happiness are built. Here’s how to keep things fun and balanced:
✔ Appreciate her honesty – It’s a sign she sees you as a life partner, not just a crush.
✔ Keep the romance alive – Just because the sugar phase fades doesn’t mean you should stop making her feel special. Small gestures still matter!
✔ Laugh together – Don’t take the teasing too seriously. If she roasts you, roast her back (lovingly, of course!).
Final Thoughts: Love Evolves, and That’s Beautiful
At the end of the day, sugar is sweet, but citrus is refreshing. A long-term relationship isn’t about staying in the honeymoon phase forever—it’s about growing together, becoming each other’s best friend, and loving in a deeper, more authentic way.
So, the next time you notice your partner switching from sugar to lime, don’t worry—it just means the love is getting real. And that’s something to celebrate!
What do you think? Have you experienced this shift in love? Drop a comment and let’s talk!
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