Lily Allen dates a normal man

Lily Allen is dating a painter-and-decorator.

The Fear singer, who has previously dated Chemical Brothers star EdSimons, record executive Seb Chew and art dealer Jay Jopling, is reportedly romancing house painter Sam Cooper after wanting a boyfriend who was closer to her own age and out of the limelight.

A source said: "Lily is tired of only ever being involved with well-known men. She wanted to go out with someone her own age who isn't involved in music or media.

"Sam works hard as a painter and decorator and leads a totally normal life. Lily is completely smitten with him. They have known each other for a while but have only just started dating properly."

The couple made their first public appearance on Tuesday (21.07.09) when they joined artist Damien Hirst, a friend of the 24-year-old singer's family, for dinner at London restaurant Scott's.

Despite Sam reportedly being just a few years older than the Smile singer, Lily recently said she expected her next lover to be 60 years old.

She said: "It's funny because my boyfriends have gone up in terms of age and how much money they make.

"Lester Lloyd was a 20-year-old DJ and had no money, Seb Chew was 30 and had a bit more as a record executive, Ed Simons was 40 and had a bit more and Jay is pushing 50.

"That means the next one is probably going to be 60. I like them old and rich."