Esther Rantzen: 'Dashing doctor helped me get over the death of my husband - but we're just good friends' - Showbiz

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The former That's Life host's appearance with consultant gynaecologist Mike Bowen – 20 years her junior – sparked rumours of an affair when they first stepped out together in 2003.

Those rumours deepened last week when the pair were booked into a luxury cabin on the Queen Victoria liner after being spotted laughing and joking at its launch ceremony in Southampton.

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Mike Brown and Esther Rantzen

But yesterday Esther, 67, insisted her relationship with father-of-three Mr Bowen is just a close friendship which formed after the death of her husband, Desmond Wilcox, in 2000.

She said: "Obviously if guests saw two names and one cabin, it would look as if Michael was sharing one, but we didn't because he didn't need one.

"He couldn't stay overnight because he has a wife and family to go home to. So we had dinner and saw a musical, and then he went one way and I went the other.

"People were very intrigued when Michael started to walk me to events. But unfortunately there's no romance, no relationship of any kind, except friendship.

"He escorts me on a number of occasions. It's quite tricky, going to events like that, although it shouldn't be for a woman of my age and confidence.

"We've known each other for years. I know his wife Anne very well. Anne's great and they have three lovely sons."

Esther met her 'walker' Mr Bowen, who practises in Harley Street and at the Hospital of St John & St Elizabeth, North-West London, four years ago at a society party.

Mr Bowen said: "Esther is a good friend of the family and my wife knows her exceptionally well.

"I think when she lost Desmond, it was very hard. But there's no one ever going to replace him and she hates going to things on her own.

"I'm a good friend and she said, 'Look, do you want to come along?'.

"Good God, I'm a married man and Esther's like an older sister to me."

Mr Bowen is married to Anne Edwards, a fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford, and a consultant at Oxford's Churchill Hospital.