Aaron Taylor-Johnson's 55-year-old wife Sam responded to criticism of their age gap

Age is just a number, or so they say. But whenever a celebrity dates someone significantly younger, or much older, everyone's got an opinion.

One couple who hit the headlines for their relationship were Aaron and Sam Taylor-Johnson. Here's what they had to say about it:

The pair began dating over a decade ago, when Aaron was a young actor making his name in the business and Sam was an established director.

Aaron was about 18 when he met his now wife, who is 20 years older than him, on the set of the John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy.

While some people didn't quite agree with their relationship, given the considerable age gap, they went on to have two children together.

During an interview with Larry King a few years back, the couple were asked about the intense press scrutiny, and what they made of it.

Larry King/YouTube

King remarked that he himself is 26 years older than his wife, and felt that it's only because in this case it's the woman who is older than the man that people seemed so bothered by it.

Agreeing, Sam, 55, says: "I feel like it’s one of the last taboos.

“I feel like everyone comes at me with it in most interviews.

“It’s interesting because, like you said, I’m sure people don’t ask you often but they do ask me.

“It makes people feel like they should have something to say and have an opinion on it."

Aaron then jumps in, saying he has never felt as though there's some chasm between them.

"I've never really noticed," the 32-year-old says. "I've never really noticed an age gap at all.

MediaPunch Inc/Alamy

"Spiritually, on a level, I feel like we've only ever been connected as soul mates, so I've never really noticed."

When asked if they were 'angry' by the reaction of the media, Aaron said it just didn't concern him.

The Bullet Train star added: "I think you just learn to... from that point onwards... I sort of didn't really pay attention to anything that had to be said about... cause I don't really care.

"And also, I know that then I'm not following... I'm doing what's natural to me and instinctive to me. I know that I'm following my own voice. And we do it together, so it's never really bothered me."