Can age gaps really work?

Naysayers will claim that couples from differing decades are doomed, but for some, age is just a number

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A very public display of affection between reality star James Argent and his new girlfriend led to some pointed comments about the difference in the new couple's ages.

Arg is 34 and his new partner, Italian actress Stella Turian, is just 18-a gap of sweet 16 years between them.

Singer Peter Andre, 49, waded in to defend the TOWIE star's new relationship. Peter and his wife, Emily, 33, also have a 16-year age gap.

'Age is a different thing to different people,' said Peter. 'I don't think I've ever felt an age gap between us, and when you see us together, you wouldn't feel there is.'

Woman speaks to two couples who have defied the put-downs from sceptics.

SHE'S 38 HE'S 55

'PEOPLE AREN'T SO JUDGEMENTAL NOW'

Rachel Wood, 38, from Worksop, works in marketing and is married to Richard, 55, a crematorium assistant. They have four children aged 14, 13, 12 and 11.

Richard and I met at work and were just friends at first. I was 23 and he was 40. We shared a similar outlook on life and both worked hard.

I'd broken up with someone and was told by my friends that I'd moved on too quickly and that Richard was old enough to be my dad. But I wasn't fazed by the 17-year gap, and, now that we're older, people aren't so judgemental.

My family were a bit worried but changed their minds once they saw what a decent man Richard was and how much he cared for me.

We struggled when we were younger because we had four kids under the age of five and we were on our own with no parents to help us. But when we become grandparents, Richard will probably be retired and able to help our children.