Originally published: 19 February 2013
The pair announced their bizarre relationship two years ago in Closer – and not only did they make headlines due to their 49-year age gap, but also because Brian had dated Kay’s 45-year-old aunt. At the time, Kay claimed Brian was an amazing lover and was smitten with the retired delivery driver.
'He may be wrinkly, but he's gorgeous. I'd get back with him tomorrow'
But desolate Kay reveals the magic has worn thin for Brian, after two and a half years. In tears, Kay, from Hampshire, says: 'I’m heartbroken – he said he didn’t have the energy to go out with me. Brian was caring and took me to KFC for romantic meals. He may be wrinkly, but he’s gorgeous. I’d get back with him tomorrow.'
But Brian is adamant, saying: 'Age is catching up on me and I’m tired. I’m holding her back. I want to stay friends, but I realise now she’s too young. We got on as she’s mature, but it was hard to keep up with her in the bedroom. I hope she meets a man her own age.'
Kay, who grew up with her parents and three siblings in Bournemouth, first met divorced Brian aged seven, while he was dating her aunt. She says: 'He used to take me kite-flying.'
They lost touch when she was 16, after he split with her aunt but, two years later, he got in touch on Facebook and she visited him. Kay, who is unemployed, says: 'I felt at ease with him – he made me laugh. He had a nice two-bed place and we’d cuddle and watch films. We went shopping and for lunches. I was surprised to feel a spark and I told myself I was stupid – he was a family friend.'
A few days later, when the pair hugged goodnight, they kissed. Kay, who’s had two short-term relationships with boys her age, says: 'It was the best kiss ever. We worried it was wrong, but said we had feelings for each other.'
Incredibly, the pair decided to go for it. Kay says: 'We were single and age didn’t matter. That night, we slept in the same bed. Brian told me he couldn’t have sex as cancer treatment in 2008 had left him impotent, but it didn’t worry me – we made love in other ways.'
A month later, Kay moved into Brian’s flat. She recalls: 'My parents were horrified and friends said I could do better.
My aunt didn’t approve, but I didn’t care – I loved Brian. He was so romantic – he’d cook me roasts and buy me flowers. And we had an amazing sex life, even though we couldn’t go all the way. He worried I’d want a family, but I didn’t mind.'
Adding her family learned to accept their relationship, she says: 'We loved soaps and country music. Brian didn’t come clubbing, but I went to the pub with his friends. I had to help him out of the bath and his back would play up. Strangers assumed he was my grandad.'
A year later, in December 2011, Brian – who has two adult kids – proposed during EastEnders. Kay says: 'It was so romantic and I said yes straight away. Brian gave me a gold ring with a diamond cluster. I wanted to plan a wedding, but he said we should save.'
Slowly cracks began to show. Kay says: 'I lost my cleaning job and money was tight on his pension, so we bickered. Then Brian started feeling tired and didn’t want to go out. Our sex life dwindled, too – even when I bought sexy undies.'
'Our sex life dwindled... even when I bought sexy undies'
A few months ago, Kay moved out to a nearby hostel but, when she returned to see Brian two weeks ago in the hope of getting things back on track, her plan backfired. She says: 'He sat watching TV and seemed distant. He didn’t make eye contact and wouldn’t kiss my cheek – he said he couldn’t carry on. I was distraught.'
She adds: 'Since the break-up, I’ve cried so much. My friends and family say it’s for the best – and I’ve even had a few young guys ask me out, but I don’t fancy them. Brian was The One.'[