Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Kate Peckinsale
Hollywood star, 43 and her toyboy, 21
KATE Beckinsale is caught enjoying a passionate kiss with a man half her age – and only three years older than her daughter. The English actress, 43, was snapped with Matt Rife, 21, in the early hours of Wednesday in West Hollywood. Insiders say Kate, who split from her husband Len Wiseman 18 months ago, is officially dating the actor. She was married to director Len, 44, for 11 years and he filed for divorce in October last year. A source told Entertainment Tonight that Kate met Matt through a mutual pal and they are “officially boyfriend and girlfriend”. They added: “They quickly started flirting, went on their first date and it’s continued since. “Everyone in Kate’s circle loves Matt and are so supportive of this relationship. He really is the sweetest guy and makes her so happy. Her entire family thinks he is the nicest and most lovely person. He is very mature for his age.” One US report claimed Kate was two years older than Matt’s mother. The actor posted a joke on Instagram on Tuesday but later deleted it. It read: “Age is just a number. “Find someone you love, and take their breath away... even if that means putting a kink in their oxygen tank cord. #Lifealerttypeoflove.” Matt has appeared on Nick Cannon’s MTV sketch comedy show Wild ‘N Out and performed at comedy clubs. Kate is reportedly a big fan of standup and has been spotted at comedy clubs with her ex-partner Michael Sheen to watch his girlfriend Sarah Silverman perform. Kate, the daughter of Porridge star Richard Beckinsale, was with Welsh actor Sheen, 48, from 1995 to 2003 and they had daughter Lily, 18. The actress was seen with Lily at her high school graduation in Los Angeles earlier this year. She is set to start at New York University this summer. Kate and Len met and fell in love on the set of horror-action movie Underworld – which she starred in opposite Sheen. She opened up about dating again in an interview last year but said she had ruled out finding love on the internet. Kate said: “I would never be able to go on a dating site ever. I would just be expecting a murderer and a psychotic rapist.”