decade-long marriage to husband Elliott Spencer, offering both wisdom and warmth in a candid chat with Rylan Clark on the Rylan: How to Be in Love podcast. The beloved actor and broadcaster, 67, shared his secrets to a strong relationship – and why their 30-year age gap has brought them closer, not apart.
Stephen and Elliott, 36, married in 2015 just ten days after announcing their engagement. Though they’ve kept a low profile for much of their relationship, Stephen reflected openly on how age differences, emotional understanding, and – above all – cheerfulness have helped them thrive.
He explained, “Cheerfulness isn’t often considered a virtue, but it’s transformative. When someone is cheerful, they bring light with them.” He added that being attuned to each other’s quirks – like his own chatty nature at breakfast versus Elliott’s need for quiet – was key to their bond.
One unexpected benefit of the age gap? Elliott keeps Stephen young in spirit – introducing him to everything from Kendrick Lamar to WWE wrestling. “He teaches me things I didn’t know,” Stephen smiled, confessing he now secretly enjoys wrestling and has even bought WrestleMania tickets.
In January, Stephen marked their 10th anniversary with a moving tribute on Instagram: “I’m a lucky man,” he wrote beneath a black-and-white photo from their wedding.
The podcast also touched on Stephen’s early experiences as a gay man – including his first schoolboy crush, the emotional impact of the AIDS crisis, and his self-imposed 15 years of celibacy, which shaped his understanding of intimacy and love.
Meanwhile, Rylan opened up about his own heartbreak after divorcing Dan Neal in 2021. As both men reflected on love, loss, and societal pressure, Stephen reminded Rylan – and all listeners – that love is never a linear path. And even in grief, there is space for joy, understanding, and starting over.
