LOVE IN AN OLDER CLIMATE

Judi Dench and David Mills

After losing her husband of 30 years to cancer, Dame Judi Dench found “a jolly nice friend” in conservationist David Mills when she was in her mid-70s. The pair, now 83 and 76 respectively, have been together since 2010.

Paul Mccartney and Nancy Shevell

Former Beatles star Paul, 76, and 58-year-old American heiress Nancy met in 2007, and married four years later. It has proved to be a more successful union than his last, to Heather Mills – their acrimonious divorce was finalised in 2008, two years after they split.

Annie Lennox and Mitchell Besser

Despite once declaring “no more marriage for me”, Lennox, 63, married her other half, who she met through charity work, in a floating ceremony on the Thames in 2012.

James Brolin and Barbra Streisand

“You can’t have perfection,” according to this Hollywood duo but, having just marked their 20th anniversary, Brolin, 78, and Streisand, 76, are proof that later-life love endures.

Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner

The on- and off-screen couple found love on the set of BBC One’s Outnumbered. Dating since last year, the pair are now said to be living together. “It’s so lovely,” 56-year-old Dennis said of his romance with Skinner, 53.