Maureen Lipman, 79, and her new husband, 80-year-old businessman David Turner, have shared their joy in finding love together in their late seventies, six months after their wedding. The Coronation Street star, who exchanged vows with David in an intimate ceremony in London last September, opened up about their unexpected and joyful union.
The couple first met in 2023, and just a year later, Maureen spontaneously proposed to David, 20 years after the death of her first husband and three years after David’s wife passed away. Despite being together for just over a year before getting engaged, Maureen expressed that their relationship “somehow felt like we’d known each other for the whole of our lives.”
Reflecting on their bond, Maureen gushed about how she quickly realized she wanted to be with David 24/7. “When I moved into his London home, my heart kept telling me I was coming home,” she said.
Though both nearing 80, Maureen shared her wish for others in her position: “Sorry if this sounds smug, but I wish any person on their own at my age could find this level of happiness.”
David, who had only recently lost his wife Frances to Alzheimer’s, explained how he hadn’t been ready to find love again. He had been her primary carer during her final years and described the heartbreak he felt as he watched her struggle with dementia. “The feeling of helplessness broke my heart,” he said.
However, as he spent more time with Maureen, he realized he wanted to be with her. “If anything happened to Maureen, I would want to take care of her,” David said. He also acknowledged the passing of time, saying, “When you’re young, time stretches on forever. But when you’re in your seventies, the second hand begins to pick up speed.”
David emphasized how important it was to make their time together count: “We might have one year, five years, or 20 years together, so let’s make them the happiest they can be.”
Despite their happiness, Maureen admitted that her upcoming UK tour for her new show Allegra from May to July will be the first time the couple will be apart for an extended period. She expressed concern about balancing work and her new marriage, saying, “I don’t want to rock the boat too much. I’ve found someone to look after and someone who wants to look after me. What we have is rare and precious, and I hope I don’t mess it up.”
Maureen previously shared her engagement news in The Spectator, revealing that she had proposed to David while on a train in August 2024. She had been against marriage for some time but couldn’t resist the opportunity when David mentioned a Jewish festival where a woman can propose. Without hesitation, Maureen slid under the table and asked for his hand.
Before David, Maureen was married to TV scriptwriter Jack Rosenthal for 30 years until his death in 2004. They have two children, Amy and Adam. Maureen later dated Italian businessman Guido Castro for 13 years, until his death in 2021 after battling COVID-related complications.
Maureen’s love story with David has brought her a sense of happiness she never thought possible, and she’s hopeful others in similar situations can find the same. The couple’s love, coming late in life, proves it’s never too late to find joy and connection.
