Michael Sheen has candidly opened up about the age gap he has with his girlfriend.
The Welsh actor - known for his roles in The Deal, The Queen and The Special Relationship - has admitted he's 'concerned' about being in a relationship with someone who is five years older than his daughter.
The father-of-three was recently quizzed about his personal life on BBC's The Assembly by 'a group of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people', who were allowed to ask the actor anything they liked.
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35 neurodivergent people were in the audience as the special was shown in conjunction with Autism Awareness Week (April 2-8), on Friday (5 April).
One woman brought up Sheen’s relationship with Anna Lundberg, 30, asking: “How does it feel to be dating someone who is only five years older than your daughter?”
Sheen, who has two children with Swedish actor Lundberg, as well as a 25-year-old daughter with ex Kate Beckinsale, admitted that it is 'not the easiest thing to do'.
He said: “Because of the age difference, I think both of us were quite surprised when we got together.
"I don’t think either of us were looking for that. It’s not like I’ve dated lots of people who are much younger than me, but you meet who you meet."
“We were very aware of what differences that would make and also how people might respond to that,” he added.
“It’s not like it was the easiest thing to do. We were both aware it would be difficult and challenging. Ultimately, we felt it was worth it because of how we felt about each other.”
“Because of the age difference, I’m aware that I’m a much older father,” he said. “It does worry me. It makes me concerned.
"It makes me sad thinking about the time I won’t have with them.
“But ultimately, I think if you find someone who brings you happiness and you make them happy, you’ve got to go for that.
"So that’s what we decided to do and I’m so happy we did as we have this wonderful family now."
The couple have been together since 2019, having met on sitcom Staged, which co-stars David and Georgia Tennant.
Sheen has previously been with Kate Beckinsale (1995–2003), Lorraine Stewart (2004–2010), Rachel McAdams (2010–2013) and Sarah Silverman (2014–2018).
Lundberg and Sheen share daughter Lyra, three, and welcomed their second child, a baby girl, in May 2022.
Topics: Celebrity, BBC, TV, Sex and Relationships
Anish Vij