Anne Hegerty, known for her role on The Chase, has shared her reasons for never pursuing a long-term relationship. The 66-year-old television personality explained that her difficulty with intimacy stems from her autism diagnosis at age 45, which has made her uncomfortable with allowing others into her personal space. Recalling a past experience, Anne admitted that her fear of growing too close to someone led her to unplug her phone to avoid contact from a boyfriend.
In a recent interview, Anne opened up about her struggle with closeness, saying, “I find it really hard to have anyone else in my space. A lot of people on the autism spectrum don’t marry or settle down. I can’t even keep pets because my ability to live with others is shrinking. Alone time is incredibly important to me,” she emphasized.
Anne recalls unplugging her phone to avoid getting too close to a boyfriend due to her discomfort with intimacy
Despite societal expectations, Anne is content with staying single, noting that she needs more personal space than a relationship could ever provide. Her last romance lasted only four months, a long-distance arrangement while she was living in Manchester. Anne admitted that she intentionally set things up in a way that would prevent the relationship from working out.
Although relieved when the relationship ended, Anne confessed that she initially cried out of guilt. She explained how she would dread phone calls from her boyfriend, sometimes even calling him herself just to get it over with, even though she didn’t actually want to speak to him or anyone else.
Anne’s decision to remain childless is also connected to her need for solitude. At one point, she considered motherhood but eventually realized she wouldn’t be able to handle it. Reflecting on her experience with two children who lived nearby, she shared that she struggled to spend more than an hour with them despite how much she liked them.
Instead of seeking romantic relationships, Anne prefers male friendships, feeling a natural affinity for men over women. She recalled attending a quiz where a female acquaintance pointed out that they were the only women left in the room.
Anne hadn’t even noticed, as she was engrossed in conversation with her male friends. She also mentioned being godmother to her co-star Mark Labbett’s eight-year-old son, Lawrence, always making sure to send him both birthday and Christmas presents.
