‘Never regretted it:’ Prue Leith admits ‘painful’ 13-year affair with late husband

Rayne – with whom Prue had son Danny and adopted daughter Li-Da – died in 2002 at the age of 80.

However, Prue found love again, marrying retired clothes designer John Playfair in 2016.

“I do recommend geriatric love,” she laughs. “One of the sad things about getting old is that so many think you can’t wear colour. I say just do it, and it is the same about love. What makes you think you can’t fall in love?

“I have only been in love three times in my life. The first was my first husband, the next time was when I was in my sixties and I fell in love with a wonderful man who was a pianist. I’m still very fond of him. Then I fell in love with my present husband.”