"In fact, Ronnie gave me three diamond engagement ringd - two solitaires and a double," said Sue.  "But they kept slipping from my finger and Ronnie decided to have them made into one big ring instead."

 

Sue and Ronnie's real-life romance began almost by chance.  "When I needed accommodation in Birmingham, Ronnie offered me his flat," said Sue.  "That was purely a business arrangement, but, in time, it began to blossom into love."

 

Even now, more than 18 months later, there is immense interest in their engagement and when they might get married.  Rumours of their wedding are a regular occurence.

 

On one occasion Sue had some flowers sent to her mother's home in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, to commemorate her wedding anniversary.  Somewhere along the way the story became garbled and shortly afterwards crowds gathered at a church near the family home to see Sue and Ronald's wedding!

 

Sue and Ronald may not have married yet, but their relationship is as strong, if not stronger, than ever.  "Not only is he my love, he's my best friend, as well," said Sue.  "I suppose it's quite amazing how close we are, because we're as different as chalk and cheese," chuckled Sue.  "He's a quiet, patient person, always in command of a situation, whereas I'm far more extrovert. 

 

"I think I must exasperate him at times," she smiled.  "Such as when I say I am ready to leave and then it takes me half an hour to find the car keys, because I've put them down somewhere and can't find them.  I'm so disorganised.  And that is in complete contrast to Ronnie, who is organised in everything."

 

Sue has changed her lifestyle over the past few years.  Not long ago she could be seen almost every evening at a top people's disco in London.  "It's not that I was fond of disco's, it was just that all my friends were there.  These days I could no more go to a disco than fly to the moon," she laughed.

 

Sue's 'quieter phase' as she calls it, is in quite a contrast to her earlier career.  A doctor's daughter, she trained as a dancer with Sadlers Wells from the age of 11, before going on to be a Lionel Blair dancer and a top Dior model.

 

In the 60s she moved into a new career in TV and films, playing in series such as 'The Baron,' 'Jason King' and 'The Saint.'  And more often than not the jet-set girls she played on TV and in films mirrored her own lifestyle. 

 

The biggest names in show-biz were her escorts, including some of the world's richest men.  To the irrepressible Sue, the outrageous was almost routine.  She'd think nothing of whisking a party of friends over to Ireland for the weekend and then picking up the bill.  Or causing a traffic jam in the middle of Belgravia by sunbathing in a parking meter bay in her bikini, accompanied by her two Afghan hounds!

 

Now Sue is in the middle of putting her life story in book form.  The volume of anecdotes and reminiscences should be in the shops by the end of the year.