The conductor Charles Mackerras observed, "David Hemmings was an extremely good looking young chap and he also very much played up to Ben's obvious adoration of him, and drank it in," and adds, "Obviously it was a sexual attraction but I'm sure that it was never actually fulfilled." Hemmings told Bridcut: "He was not only a father to me, but a friend – and you couldn't have had a better father or a better friend.
Charles Mackerras commented that David Hemmings was a handsome young man who played up to Ben's obvious affection for him, and drank it in. He also stated that it was a sexual attraction but he believes it wasn't ever acted upon. Hemmings told Bridcut that Mackerras was not only his father figure but also a friend, adding that you couldn't have had a better father or a better friend.