QUESTION : The past few years have been awful : my husband left me for his PA . I felt dowdy and middle-aged , so embarked on a programme of exercise and dieting . Even so , I was amazed when a trainer at my gym , who ’ s 27 ( I ’ m 49 ) , asked me on a date . I want to say ‘ Yes ’ , but I fear it ’ s undignified and that my body will repel him . What should I do ? Rowan advises a woman who has been asked out on a date by her younger gym trainer ( picture posed by models ) ANSWER : I have a friend who swears the best way for any middle-aged woman to make a decision is to ask themselves : ‘ What would Madonna do ? ’ The Queen of pop would never let a trifling thing such as dignity stand between her and a hot young man . Nor did the director of 50 Shades Of Grey , Sam Taylor-Johnson , put decorum before personal happiness when she wed a much younger actor . Would it have been more seemly to deny herself an unbelievably handsome husband just to ensure the more censorious members of our society weren ’ t scandalised ? Of course , this kind of chutzpah is far easier to talk about than achieve . It comes more naturally to celebrities than mere mortals . But that doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t borrow a little bit of that erotic entitlement . This man has gone out of his way to pursue you . It ’ s also a bit daft , under the circumstances , to be fretful about your body . If he works in your gym , then surely he ’ s got a good idea of your physique . The simple fact is that he fancies you rotten . In short , why don ’ t you do this man a favour and take his request seriously ? If he ’ s interesting and sexy , you should simply assess him for these qualities . Treat him like any other man who might have the good sense to ask you out . Please say ‘ Yes ! ’ — perhaps with the addendum : ‘ Because I ’ m worth it ! ’
Sex columnist tackles a question from a woman whose husband left her . Now a young man at the gym wants to take her out on a date . Madonna says Rowan and Sam Taylor-Johnson have made age gaps okay .