cradle-snatching

Courtney's newspaper editor dad isn't thrilled about the relationship, though, branding Paul "a cradle-snatching amoeba".

And when she did find romance with a much younger man, they were blunt in their disapproval, ridiculing her "cradle-snatching".

When others (probably jealous) jeer at his cradle-snatching, I recall the words of an ancient petticoatchasing libertine I know.

But the authorities were, backed by a host of holier-than-thou columnists who claimed they were shocked, horrified and disgusted to think that anyone could tolerate this cradle-snatching sinner after Myra's age hit the headlines.

At the time, Naomi had been hurt by the intense interest in that relationship, especially over the cradle-snatching remarks made about the 11-year age gap between her and her 27-year-old boyfriend.

And there's good news for Belonging fans; he'll be returning to the acclaimed BBC Wales drama this autumn as the loveable-hissable Mos, the cradle-snatching home-wrecker practically beaten to a pulp by Charles Dale's character a couple of years ago, and never seen since.

Then it certainly can enhance and enrich the relationship.' And she believes that attitudes are changing, particularly in cases where an older woman is involved with a younger man - something which has traditionally led to cries of cradle-snatching, suggestions of gold-digging and mocking sniggers.

Equally there are those who get a serious case of the tut tuts about 'cradle-snatching'.

Ribbed by her two friends for cradle-snatching a 25-year-old, Kate initially shrugs off the dalliance.

Watched last episode of Close Relations which seemed to be about a family of naked lesbian bisexual adulterers, cradle-snatching grandads, randy blacksmiths and pregnant schoolgirls.

It was amazing that their relationship lasted four years given that the cradle-snatching singer was, at 33, nine years older than her beau.

They met in 2007 when Lee won a top role as she judged BBC1's Any Dream Will Do - and she admits it felt like "cradle-snatching".

But there are also bound to be voices of dissension, whispering about cradle-snatching and rubbing his ex-wife's 38-year-old nose in it, while Cruise cavorts around the world with a woman young enough to be his daughter (especially given that she looks about 18, and is best known for playing a teen on screen).

Eva, who plays cradle-snatching Gabrielle in the hit show, also admits she wouldn't say no to a fling with another housewife.

And she believes attitudes are changing, particularly in cases where an older woman is involved with a younger man, something which has traditionally led to cries of cradle-snatching, suggestions of gold-digging and mocking sniggers.