‘Couple’ with a 37-year age gap secretly filmed in London

It is often said that age is just a number. 

But when it comes to relationships people can be quick to judge couple when one partner is significantly older than the other. 

To discover what the public really thinks about ‘age-gap’ relationships, MailOnline sent a 23-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman out on to the streets of London and challenged them to play a loved-up couple who can’t keep their hands off each other.

Our cameras secretly filmed as they strolled through parks and shared tender moments, capturing the candid reactions of strangers and passers-by.

We then pulled some aside to ask for their thoughts on the 37-year age gap between the pair – and their responses might just surprise you…  

Jack and Eva

Lovebirds: Actors Jack O’Neill, 23, and Eva Von Mitzka, 60, played a couple with an age gap

Turning heads: Strangers couldn't help but look (right) as the couple strolled past (left)

Turning heads: Strangers couldn’t help but look (right) as the couple strolled past (left)

THE SETUP 

Actors Jack O’Neill, 23, and Eva Von Mitzka, 60, played an affectionate couple exploring the parks of west London.

Both said they would be open to the idea of an age-gap relationship in real life, agreeing that what was most important was the couple’s happiness.

However Eva said she would need a partner who was slightly older than Jack as a 37-year age difference was a little too big. 

Open minded: Both Eva and Jack, pictured, said they would consider an age-gap relationship

Open minded: Both Eva and Jack, pictured, said they would consider an age-gap relationship

Affectionate: The couple posed for selfies, held hands and smiled as they explored the park

Affectionate: The couple posed for selfies, held hands and smiled as they explored the park

WHAT THE PUBLIC THOUGHT

The hidden camera recordings captured Jack and Eva turning a number of park-goers’ heads as they walked past hand-in-hand. 

However those who agreed to be interviewed were unanimously supportive of the couple, saying that it is ‘up to the individual’. 

One woman named Sophie, 27, said: ‘I think if they’re happy, they’re happy. If they have the same opinion about stuff, I think it could work.’

Shared interests: Passerby Sophie, 27, pictured, said the relationship could work as long as they had enough in common, adding: 'If they're happy, they're happy'

Shared interests: Passerby Sophie, 27, pictured, said the relationship could work as long as they had enough in common, adding: ‘If they’re happy, they’re happy’

Accepting: American tourist Heather, 31, said it was clear there was an age difference but that there was 'nothing wrong' with that

Accepting: American tourist Heather, 31, said it was clear there was an age difference but that there was ‘nothing wrong’ with that

Stop and stare: This couple on the bench were filmed glancing over at Eva and Jack, right

Stop and stare: This couple on the bench were filmed glancing over at Eva and Jack, right

A man named Eduardo, 25, agreed: ‘I’m not one to judge them and if they are happy, I am happy for them.’ 

Teenager Michelle, 19, said that while she would not personally date a much older man ‘a little age gap is okay’.  

Tourist Heather, 31, from the US, pointed out that those with a close-minded views on relationships will soon be in the minority. 

‘I think people’s hang ups on who people fall in love with, those opinions are literally dying off,’ she said. 

No judgement: Eduardo, 25, left, said he was happy for the couple as long as they are happy

No judgement: Eduardo, 25, left, said he was happy for the couple as long as they are happy

Personal preference: Michelle, 19, would not date an older man but saw nothing wrong with the relationship

Personal preference: Michelle, 19, would not date an older man but saw nothing wrong with the relationship

WHAT JACK AND EVA THOUGHT 

The couple both noticed strangers taking a second look when they past but Eva admitted she ‘thought there would be more’. 

Jack said such attention might be enough to put off age-gap couples from taking their relationship public. 

‘I think maybe there are age-gap couples and they are just too shy to show affection in public,’ he said. 

Supportive: Jack said he would look at a couple with a significant age difference because he would admire their confidence

Supportive: Jack said he would look at a couple with a significant age difference because he would admire their confidence

However they both admitted that they would struggle not to stare if they saw a couple with a similar age difference to their own. 

Eva said: ‘If I saw a couple with a big age gap walking around I might have a quick look but it’s not really any of my business.’

Jack added: ‘I think maybe I would but in a positive way because I would admire their confidence of not caring what other people think.’

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