My boyfriend’s convinced he’s the ‘next James Bond’ – but I’m tired of supporting him

This week’s reader has officially had enough (Picture: Getty/Metro) Supporting someone who’s chasing their dreams can be emotionally and financially taxing. And after years of covering rent, bills, and other costs so that her boyfriend can pursue his acting career, this week’s reader has officially reached her limit. He might be ‘fit’, ‘active’, and ‘convinced he could be the next James Bond’, but staying with someone on the off-chance they might become famous one day doesn’t exactly scream true love. Keep reading to find out more, but before you go, check out last week’s dilemma, from a man who’s willing to put a 20-year-friendship on the line — all for a girl he’s never even kissed. The problem… I met my boyfriend at drama school six years ago, when we were both young starry-eyed hopefuls who dreamed of careers as actors. It didn’t take me long to realise it was never going to happen for me, and I now have a good job with a casting company and really enjoy what I do. My boyfriend, on the other hand, has odd jobs doing bar work, waiting tables or working in call centres. He is now 28 and more or less permanently broke. Although he gets a few small acting roles here and there, they never lead to anything substantial. New here? Sign up for The Hook Up newsletter Hi, my name is Laura Collins, and every week I write Metro’s Sex Column. I’ve been working in newspapers since completing my counselling training 30 years ago, and it’s always a privilege to help readers. Read my column in The Hook Up newsletter every week (Picture: Laura Collins) If you enjoy my column, you should sign up for our weekly newsletter. It has it all – expert tips, steamy stories, and everything in between. Sign up now. And if you have a sex, dating or relationship dilemma, get in touch! I pay the rent and all the bills on our flat and am starting to realise the truth in what my mum always said: ‘Money doesn’t make you happy, but no money makes you miserable.’ My boyfriend is convinced that it’s only a matter of time before he gets his breakthrough role, and – don’t laugh – he’s convinced he could be the next James Bond, if only he could get noticed. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. To be fair, he’s very fit and active, as well as having gorgeous looks. Even I think he would make a good James Bond! The other day a friend told me it was obvious that he stays with me because he depends on me financially, and I only stay with him in case he becomes famous. It really hurt to hear that, but I know what she said is true. I think we fell out of love a long time ago but both of us need the other one. The advice I can see that he needs you for financial security, but why do you need him? You might think you want him, but you clearly don’t need him. You’ve admitted yourself that he’s only staying with you for the money, and you’re only staying with him because it would be nice to be the other half of a famous actor. Hardly a great love match, is it? Sorry to be harsh, but from what you say about your relationship, if he did become rich and famous he’d probably ditch you anyway and someone else would be on his arm as he trod the red carpet. Sadly, it’s statistically more likely that he’ll always be a struggling actor, and you’ll be furious with yourself for wasting your best years with a guy who only wanted you for money and a place to live. Please end this pointless relationship and move on, the pair of you. I bet if you made the first move to break up, he’d be secretly glad that you’d taken the decision out of his hands. I don’t think I’ve ever had a problem that was easier to sort out. If you see him on the silver screen in years to come, don’t think ‘I could have been with him’. Instead, think ‘what a shame we weren’t meant for one another’ and then put him out of your mind. There are regular guys out there who will make you much happier. Laura is a counsellor and columnist. Got a sex and dating dilemma? To get expert advice, send your problem to Laura.Collins@metro.co.uk. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk Deals of the Day Most of us aren't getting enough fibre – this easy supplement could change that My honest review of the new UKLash Lash Lift Gel Kurt Geiger's new Notting Hill collection is a love letter to London's chaotic weather Dyson fans are swapping to this Hoover vacuum-mop that washes floors as it cleans I tried L'Oréal Paris's new PDRN serum and my skin looked glossier after one use Arrow MORE: I didn’t want to see him again but I owed him one after our first date Arrow MORE: I slept with my ex 10 years later — then he blocked me Arrow MORE: I’ve discovered a pre-sex ritual my boyfriend knows nothing about The Hook Up Metro's hottest newsletter, with juicy stories and tips for spicing things up in the bedroom. 18+