Denise Welch joked that she's 'married her carer' as she defended her age-gap romance on Loose Women .
The Geordie actress, 61, is happily married to artist Lincoln Townley, 46.
They tied the knot in 2013 and have been blissfully married ever since.
Denise and her fellow panelists, Coleen Nolan, Janet Street Porter and Saira Khan, discussed age gaps following the premiere of ITV drama Gold Digger, which follows a woman in her 60s who embarks on a relationship with a much younger man.
The panel pointed out the double standards in society, saying people think nothing if a man dates a younger woman but talk if a woman is seeing a younger man.
Denise said she enjoyed the drama, especially since women her age rarely get to play sexy roles on TV.
When asked what she thinks of age-gap relationships, the former Coronation Street star said: "Well obviously I'm in one. I did watch it.
"My enjoyment was based on the fact the key character is 60 years old, a year younger than me, and is seen as an attractive older woman having hot steamy shower sex and as an actress you find most roles for women of 60 or 61 put you in the grandmother role, are sexless."
She added it was great to see a 60-year-old woman's sexuality "celebrated".
Denise went on: "I am in an age-gap relationship of 15 years, Carol McGiffin is 22 years older than Mark and we're both in very happy relationships."
She added: "Lincoln has always been into older women, he's had older than me, I'm like a spring chicken in our house."
Janet said she had been in a number of age-gap relationships, saying she dated a 23-year-old when she was 41, and married a 25 year old when she was 49.
Saira jumped in: "I can understand why men find older women super attractive because there's an air of confidence."
However, Coleen said she couldn't see herself dating a younger man.
She said that her eldest son, Shane Jr, is almost 31 and that he's warned her not to date anyone his age.
She also said when she talks to her son and his friends she's very aware that they're "only 30".
Denise said: "30 is young though."
"You've got to think ahead, I've married my carer," she joked.
Viewers joined in the debate, sharing their own experiences on Twitter .
One said: "I am 35. My partner of 7 months is 56. She is the most amazing beautiful sexy goddess I've ever met. I adore her. And, no, I don't have a 'thing' for older women."
"Was with a 24 year old when I was 38," another said.
And one wrote: "It’s great that the age gap relationships is talked about , I’ve been in an man to man age gap relationship for 5 years I struggled at first because of his family and friends but, it was all in my head and the family is lovely"
* Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV
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