The model and broadcaster Kelly Brook has given an interview in which she discusses her “nice, selfish life” as a childless woman heading towards 40.

Our heroine observed: “My family never put pressure on me to have a family: they see how happy I am in my life. I never dwell on the things I don't have, I'm just positive about the things I do have - which is a lot of free time. I get to spend all my money on myself, I live quite a nice, selfish life.”

It is possible that this counts as a modishly radical statement in Brook’s neck of the woods. However, others among her middle-aged, child-free cohort – myself included – will roll our eyes over her perpetuating of the stereotype of the sybaritic, cash-rich, lotus eater that breeders too often take us to be.

More to the point, the fact that Brook feels she even has to defend her biological choices feels a bit – well – old. I have justified my own contented childlessness in print at the ages of 35, 37, 40, 41, 45, 46 and 47.

Now 48, I honestly thought I’d stopped - and not just because of the assumption that that ship has sailed. (If only: I continue to deploy the pill, condoms and everything short of a wetsuit). I like to think that this isn’t just because of my aged- crone status, but because society has changed; or my beautiful metropolitan bubble, at least.