The Chase’s Anne Hegerty, 66, reveals her courting fears

The Chase star Anne Hegerty has revealed her biggest fear about dating is having a man encroach on her personal space. 

The quizzer, who was diagnosed with autism aged 45, confessed her struggles as she reflected on once unplugging her phone to stop a boyfriend being able to contact her. 

Speaking candidly at The Paul Strank Roofing Charity Gala at The Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, she insisted she’d make a terrible partner. 

Anne, 66, shared: ‘I really struggle with closeness and having anyone else in the house.

‘I think an awful lot of autistic people don’t get married or settle down.’

She continued: ‘I don’t even have pets for that reason and my capacity for living with other people is just diminishing. I need a huge amount of alone time.

‘I just always feel like I want more space than someone can possibly give me. If I wanted a relationship I’d go out and get it but I honestly don’t.’ 

Anne has previously revealed her longest relationship only lasted four months, and reflecting on that dalliance she confessed:  

‘It only worked for those few months because I was in Manchester. I kind of maneuvered it into a place where it wouldn’t work. 

‘I wrote to him in the end to call it off. I remember crying with relief and then crying with guilt.’

Anne had reached the end of her tether, however, as she explained: ‘Sometimes, I used to unplug the phone because he tried to call me everyday. I just wanted to get it over with.

‘I’d be sitting there just waiting for the phone to ring thinking “don’t phone, don’t phone, don’t phone!” 

‘Other times, just to get over the suspense, I’d phone him and, of course, that made him think that I wanted to talk to him but I think I just wanted to get it over with. I didn’t want to talk to him or anyone!’

Yet Anne hasn’t been short of offers and joked she has admirers who seem to be drawn to her Mrs Trunchball-type Governess outfit.

She revealed: ‘I’m sure there are some who like the whole look of The Governess. I’m sure there are some that might be interested if they let me.

‘I do meet attractive men but it’s never going to work. My feeling is “it’s not fair on you because I will not treat you well.” 

‘I always feel like I want more space they can possibly give me. If I missed it I’d go out and get someone but I don’t.

‘It’s much better not to do dating at all and I’ve always felt men make such good friends. I’m always drawn to men more than women.’

She added: ‘I was at a quiz back in June and at the end of the day a woman I knew was leaving and said to me, “isn’t it weird we were the only two women in the room?” and I’d never even noticed. I just automatically started talking to my friends and they were men.’

The TV brainbox also admitted it’s the same reason she never had children, despite being great with kids.

She explained: ‘I did want children but I wouldn’t have been able to tolerate it a lot. 

‘About 20 years ago there was a little boy and girl who lived near me and they used to come around my house. We managed to restrict it to just one hour a day and they always wanted to stay longer. 

‘They were absolutely smashing kids and we’re now friends on Facebook but I couldn’t even handle that for more than an hour.’

She does, however, take her role as godmother to The Chase Mark ‘Beast’ Labbett’s eight year-old son, Lawrence, seriously.

Anne said: ‘His birthday is around the end of November so I tend to send a birthday and Christmas present at the same time – but not the same thing – because both my parents had winter birthdays and I knew they hated getting one present for two celebrations.

‘I think one was a bit inappropriate. I gave him a toy cross-bow once, so weaponry,’ she laughs. ‘But recently I’ve been giving him Minecraft vouchers because he’s heavily into that.’

Previously the star told how she spent Christmas for the last 40 years alone and explained it’s why she’s even more happy to be playing the Fairy Godmother in the Scarborough panto Cinderella, this year.

Anne, who starred in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here in 2018, quipped: ‘Fortunately now I’m in panto I get to say, “sorry, I’m in Scarborough!” and it’s my only day off.

‘I see it as a great day off. There are plenty who ask me to spend it with them but I don’t want to. I don’t do Christmas dinner or a tree. When I was a child I just remember them dropping pin needles everywhere!’

Earlier this year Anne took on another acting role – playing a cameo as a next-door neighbour in a film called Exorcising Barry, about a man obsessed with a demon.

But any chance of going to Hollywood is off-limits, she said matter-of-factly.

She revealed: ‘America wouldn’t want me because I am fat.

‘I have a friend who went there for work. She looks amazing and they told her she had to lose weight. I am fine with how I am but they don’t like fat British actresses.’

Yet she’s achieved great success in Britain and speaking about The Chase’s recent NTA win she shared: ‘I’m so happy. Bradley Walsh is amazing. It’s been 14 years and I love it. 

‘Other kids used to sing in front of the mirror with a hair brush. When I was younger, I used to practice being interviewed for when I became famous. I don’t know why but it’s what I’ve always wanted.’