Madonna's toyboy Timor Steffens has apparently dismissed the age gap between them - insisting he likes older women because he learns a lot from them.

The 26-year-old Dutch dancer has been dating the 56-year-old Queen of Pop since January and has spoken about their relationship for the first time to the Daily Mirror.

Timor is quoted by the newspaper as saying: "There is an age gap between me and Madonna but I don't notice it.

"My girlfriends have always been older than me and that's how I like it. I learn a lot.

"Mum is a big inspiration. She is a fighter, a strong independent woman, and any relationship I've had in the past was mostly with women that are independent and like to have an opinion."

Madonna first stepped out with Timor at designer Rudolph Valentino's New Year's Eve Party in Switzerland.

The choreographer said he has become close to her four children, and would like to be a father himself one day.

He said: "I want to be a dad, it's my goal to have my own family, that's there in the back of my mind all the time.

"I hang out with a lot of celebrities. I hang out with their kids, I see the world.

"But I do that because I genuinely care for who they are as a person. I'm a very loving person - if I hang out with them it's because I have a big connection with them."

Timor also spoke about working out with the singer.

He said: "Madonna is so disciplined with the gym, which is great. I'm in shape, I've got a washboard stomach but she inspires me to go that extra mile."

The dancer added: "She always looks for new challenges in life. She is a very strong woman and doesn't need to follow the mainstream. That's what makes her an artist."

There have been rumours the couple may be on the rocks as Timor has not been seen with Madonna since the beginning of her holiday in the South of France on August 2.

E! News reported the choreographer left the group on the day of Madonna's son Rocco's birthday, August 11, and was not there to celebrate her 56th birthday in Ibiza just a few days later.

A source close to the star previously described her relationship with Timor as a "fling".