Imagine being a 42-year-old mum and falling pregnant to a teenager. That's the real-life scandal that dogs 50 Shades Of Grey director Sam Taylor-Wood.
Sam was a successful artist making her debut as a film director with Nowhere Boy, based on the childhood experiences of John Lennon, when she fell in love with the actor cast in the lead role, Aaron Johnson.
"I've always lived my life as fearlessly as possible," says a defiant Sam. "I don't really listen to other people's opinions, just follow my heart and my instincts."
In fact, she believes it's sexist for people to be scandalised by their relationship: "In the old days 'controversial' in a relationship meant same-sex or mixed races. Now, it is a woman with a younger man. That would not happen with a man."
Two battles with cancer have strengthened Sam's resolve to live life to the full. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1997, weeks after giving birth to her first daughter. Then, in 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy. "I do think you're more free about where you want to be in life," she explains of the decisions she's made post-cancer. "Time is precious."