Search

Beloved Coronation Street star dies aged 89

Coronation Street star Joan Savage has passed away at 89. The actress, known for her role as Celeste Pickersgill in the ITV soap series, was reported to have passed away peacefully in her home in Twickenham earlier this month. Her cause of death has not been revealed. Tributes have poured in from the star's friends and family. In a touching tribute, her daughter Kelly wrote: "Mum always used to say 'I'd like to go with my tap shoes on' so the last few years have been extremely difficult for her and us as a family. "I hope she's reunited with her show biz contemporaries and putting on a show up there!" she added. Her friend, Cheryl Forbes paid tribute to the actress on X. "Our dear friend, the remarkable Joan Savage, passed away recently," she tweeted. "She was a real star and absolutely brilliant at everything she did," she continued. "An actress, comedienne, singer, impressionist and dancer. "She was truly a very special talent." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Our dear friend, the remarkable Joan Savage, passed away recently. She was a real star and absolutely brilliant at everything she did. An actress, comedienne, singer, impressionist and dancer. She was truly a very special talent 💔 <a href="https://t.co/mDtL2YTeX6">https://t.co/mDtL2YTeX6</a> — Cheryl Forbes (@mezzocheryl) <a href="https://twitter.com/mezzocheryl/status/1724507318316859598?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2023</a></blockquote> Savage has spent over six decades in the show biz industry. She starred in an episode of Dad's Army in 1972, and made multiple appearances in The Arthur Haynes Show between 1956 and 1962. Aside from her glittering career on the screen, she also ventured out into music, theatre and entertainment. She toured as the leading lady in a George and Alfred Black revue called Music and Madness, where she met performer Ken Morris - who she later on married in 1955 - and the pair performed as a double act. The duo appeared in multiple big shows and advertisements at the time including Hi Summer, The Black and White Minstrel Show, The Jack Jackson Show and The Arthur Haynes Show. In 1960, they welcomed daughter Kelly, but their love story was cut short when Morris tragically passed away on July 3, 1968 following a brain tumour. Four years later, Savage remarried, and tied the knot with husband Bryan on November 1972. She continued performing and had also established herself as a solo artist, creating popular love songs, comedies and even went on to win the Nordring Radio Prize for her singing in 1974. Savage is survived by her husband Bryan, her daughter Kelly and her two grandkids. Images: Getty/ Youtube

Caring

"Grief hits us like tsunamis": Heartbreak for Richard E Grant

Actor Richard E. Grant has shared how his heart is breaking following the death of Joan Washington, his wife of 35 years. Grant said he was overwhelmed by the support he received from fans, fellow actors, and loved ones. “[We’re] overwhelmed by the messages of love, condolence & support we have received from loved ones and strangers from all over the world and the appreciation from actors Joan taught over the years,” the Posh Nosh star wrote on Twitter. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Overwhelmed by the messages of love, condolence & support we have received from loved ones & strangers from all over the world & the appreciation from actors Joan taught over the years. Grief hits us like tsunamis as we try and put one foot in front of the other without her 💔 <a href="https://t.co/VDhpFQwmrh">pic.twitter.com/VDhpFQwmrh</a> — Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardEGrant/status/1434221078696562691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2021</a></blockquote> “Grief hits us like tsunamis as we try and put one foot in front of the other without her.” Grant announced his wife’s passing on Twitter on Friday, sharing a video of him dancing with her to a song by the Platters. “ONLY YOU! Joan - Love of my Life & Giver of Life to our daughter Olivia,” he captioned the clip. “Our hearts are broken with the loss of your life last night. 35 years married & 38 together.” “To be truly known and seen by you, is your immeasurable gift. Do not forget us, sweet Monkee-mine.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 🎵ONLY YOU!🎵Joan - Love of my Life & Giver of Life to our daughter Olivia. Our hearts are broken with the loss of your Life last night. 35 years married & 38 together. To be truly known and seen by you, is your immeasurable gift. Do not forget us, sweet Monkee-mine 💔💔💔💔💔💔 <a href="https://t.co/YcdVAVK1ja">pic.twitter.com/YcdVAVK1ja</a> — Richard E. Grant (@RichardEGrant) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardEGrant/status/1433723682870997001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2021</a></blockquote> Washington worked as a voice and dialect coach with many Hollywood stars during her long career. She worked with Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Jessica Chastain, and Vanessa Redgrace, as well as with actors on both Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. Hollywood stars have since shared their tributes to the leading dialect coach, including Chastain. “My heart is broken,” she wrote on Twitter. “Joan Washington had such a profound impact on me, yes, as an artist, but mostly as a woman. Every day I was excited to go to work and giggle with Joan. “She was a barometer of truth with a wicked sense of humour. I loved her very much.” Mad Max and The Favourite actor Nicholas Hoult shared a message thanking Washington for her kindness. “I can never thank her enough for all her kindness, the lessons she taught me and the memories I’ll cherish,” he said. Comic and actress Dawn French also paid tribute to Washington. “Joan Washington will ALWAYS be remembered by those of us who knew her and were taught by her, as a PHENOMENAL WOMAN. So much love to Richard E. Grant and all the family,” French said. Image: Richard E. Grant / Instagram

Family & Pets

Jean Smart leads new comedy series

The award-winning actress stars in the new US comedy Hacks, one of the most talked about new shows this year. Starring Smart as the legendary Las Vegas comedian, Deborah Vance, the series follows the dark mentorship which develops between her and young writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder). The show’s cast also includes Carl Clemons Hopkins (Hamilton) as Deborah’s chief operating officer, and guest appearances from Kaitlin Olson (Coyote Ugly), Christopher McDonald (Thelma & Louise), and Rose Abdoo (Gilmore Girls). Hacks was created by the trio behind Broad City, with critics raving about its originality and humour. The 69-year-old has shared her enthusiasm about the role, which allows her full skill and talent to shine through. “I read it, and I just said, ‘This has it all. This could be so great’,” she told the Los Angeles Times of the script. “It’s so funny, and it’s balanced with these dark moments. If I could pick out a dozen of my favourite parts I’ve ever done, on stage or in front of the camera, and put them in the body of one person, I feel like [Deborah] is an amalgam of a lot of my favourite things.” Smart’s co-star, Einbinder, is a stand-up comedian and a newcomer to scripted TV. In a show of comradery, Smart helped ease Einbinder’s nerves ahead of her final audition according to an interview she did with Glamour. “The last stage of the audition was the screen test with Jean," Einbinder said. "I was really nervous going in, but Jean called me the night before and said, ‘I know it may feel a little surgical tomorrow with all the COVID precautions, but I just want to let you know, I think you’re really great. I think we’re going to have a lot of fun’." “She was just so classy and cool. I credit a lot of our chemistry to Jean being so warm.” Though no release date is set for New Zealand audiences, Hacks will likely be available to stream. Image: Stan

Joan Collins shuts down Piers Morgan over Meghan Markle question

In a new interview with Piers Morgan, Dame Joan Collins stayed tight-lipped when asked about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on Morgan’s ITV series “Life Stories”. “What do you make of what’s going on with the British royal family now, with Meghan, Harry, the feud, with [Prince] William, [Prince] Charles?” Morgan asked. The Dynasty star - who was made a dame in 2014 by the Queen - wasn’t interested in sharing her opinion on the reported feud between Harry, his brother, and their father. “My lips are sealed on that subject,” she said. “I just don’t want to go on national TV and say what I think about Meghan and Harry, because look what happened to you.” Morgan seemed to appreciate her response and said: “Exactly - thank you.” The former morning show host’s repeated criticism of Markle following the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey saw him walk off the set and quit Good Morning Britain in April. Earlier this month, he accused the Duchess of Sussex of telling “downright lies” and called her “Princess Pinocchio” over the weekend. Image: news.com.au

Ageless Joan Collins celebrates birthday in glamour

Joan Collins, in all her beauty and grace, has left fans desperate to know how she has managed to keep her youthful glow as she celebrated her 87th birthday on the weekend. The legendary actress spent her special day in the company of her husband Percy Gibson, 55. Taking to Instagram, Collins shared a photograph of the pair holding up a tiny birthday cake perfect for two. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkMpChFmD5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkMpChFmD5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Joan Collins (@joancollinsdbe)</a> on May 24, 2020 at 2:28am PDT </div> </blockquote> Joan looked simply stunning and dressed in an elegant white number, and finished off the look with understated jewellery and a slicked back hairstyle. Joan's husband, who is 32 years her junior, looked playful and happy as he put his arm around his wife. “It wasn't just a happy birthday it was a sensational one – I'm still reeling from the brilliant surprises,” she wrote Joan has received lots of messages from loving fans on social media and a few comments on how good she looked at 87. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiQpj0FLWl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiQpj0FLWl/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">First thing in the morning my loving #ahubby showered me with #flowers #gifts and #surprises - more to come! 🎂🎉🎁</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/joancollinsdbe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Joan Collins</a> (@joancollinsdbe) on May 23, 2020 at 8:25am PDT </div> </blockquote> "You look breathtakingly young- the secret please x" one fan remarked. Another said: "Looking very loved and beautifull.. you never seem to get any older." The performer admitted she has hopes of living until 100 years old. "Will I outlive you all? No, I don’t want that," she said during an interview with Mirror Online. "I’ll settle for 100 years old, like Olivia de Havilland, who played Melanie in Gone With The Wind. She lives in Paris and is still going strong".

Beauty & Style

Dame Joan Collins is back

Dame Joan Collins, 86, is back in the spotlight after appearing in a major ad for the beauty campaign for makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury. The Hollywood star is seen smiling alongside younger models which advertises the celebrity make-up artist’s brand-new Airbrush Flawless Finish Foundation. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b89G0gLIb/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1b89G0gLIb/" target="_blank">Darlings, just ONE MORE DAY until the launch of my NEW! AIRBRUSH FLAWLESS FOUNDATION and MAGIC VANISH Colour Correctors. These NEW! products are where MAKEUP MAGIC meets SKINCARE SCIENCE - I can’t wait for you all to experience the FLAWLESS FEELING 💫✨💓🤩💖!! I LOVE this incredible shot from my Airbrush Flawless Foundation campaign. Featuring 60 GORGEOUS men and women, from @joancollinsdbe to @missfamenyc, @mypaleskinblog and @chey_maya!! #FLAWLESSISAFEELING - - #CharlotteTilbury #AirbrushFlawlessFoundation #New #ComingSoon #FoundationLaunch #Makeup #Beauty</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/ctilburymakeup/" target="_blank"> Charlotte Tilbury, MBE</a> (@ctilburymakeup) on Aug 21, 2019 at 11:52am PDT </div> </blockquote> The foundation itself comes in 44 different shades and after the advertising campaign now has a 17,000 strong waitlist for the shades. The product is highly anticipated amongst the beauty community as it includes the Magic Replexium Serum that claims to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 22 per cent after eight weeks of use. “I have worked with the best laboratories in the world to create my most miraculous skin-creation yet,” says Tilbury, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/head/article/45714/1/joan-collins-shines-in-new-charlotte-tilbury-foundation-campaign" target="_blank">Dazed</a>. “When I wear this foundation, people ask me if I have had work done! Have I been on holiday? No, no, no! It’s Airbrush Flawless Foundation.” Dame Joan Collins has been flawless since appearing on television at the age of nine. Scroll through the gallery to see how she’s aged (or hasn’t!) over the years.

Beauty & Style

Joan Collins on working in Hollywood in the 1960s: “The very thought was utterly repugnant”

TV and screen legend Joan Collins appeared on CBS recently and opened up about many aspects of her life, including her career and courtships, to roles such as Cleopatra and the casting couch. The actress, 85, was candid about her experiences as a film star in the light of the #MeToo movement. She revealed she was promised one of the biggest roles in film history as long as she slept with the producer. “There were some very, very big people who promised me this role if I would be ‘Nice’ to them,” she explained. “This was the casting couch. I was dancing with one of the men who was the head of the studio. And he said, ‘I can put you up in a nice little apartment and I will come and visit you and you’ll not only get all the best roles at Fox, but we will see that you get Cleopatra.” Collins revealed in a column for The Daily Mail in 2017 that this man was Buddy Adler, the then head of 20th Century Fox. Collins responded quick-wittedly: “I said, ‘Great idea, and I am here with my agent, Jay Kanter, let’s go talk to him about it.’” Collins was questioned on whether she was aware of her actions of denying these propositions and Collins explained she had long held firm on her values. “I was never, ever, ever going to settle for giving my body to some old man for a role, or even a young man or anybody. I would never do that, ever, ever,” she reiterated. In the column she recalled Adler’s response to this remark. He said “Honey, you have quite a sense of humour.” She replied with the same wit, saying, “And a sense of humour is all you’ll ever get from me.” This response cost her the role of Cleopatra, as Elizabeth Taylor landed the coveted gig playing the Egyptian Queen. Collins further discussed her experience in a column for The Daily Mail. “The head of 20th Studio Fox at the time, Buddy Adler, and the chairman of the board – a Greek gentleman old enough to be my grandfather – bombarded me with propositions and promises that the role was mine if I would be ‘nice to them,’” Collins wrote for The Daily Mail. “It was a euphemism prevalent in Hollywood. I couldn’t and I wouldn’t – the very thought of these old men was utterly repugnant. So, I dodged and I dived, and hid from them around the lot and made excuses while undergoing endless screen tests for the role of Egypt’s Queen.” Collins further opened up about her romances, from her love affair with Warren Beatty and on-set romance with Harry Belafonte to ranking her five husbands in the interview. Collins alluded to Warren Beatty as one who relished in his press. “We used to stop on Sunset Boulevard at the newsagents and Warren would look through modern screen and see if we had pictures in a magazine,” she recalled. The screen legend was asked if she was in love with Beatty and replied: “I think so. It’s like Prince Charles said, ‘Whatever love is.’” Later, on the set of Island In The Sun, Collins met Harry Belafonte and romance soon followed. Although Collins revealed John Forsyth on Dynasty wasn’t her biggest fan. “John didn’t like me,” Collins revealed. “John is old school and misogynistic, and a bit sexist. He frankly didn’t like this English woman and every person saying that she made the show.”

Movies

Dame Joan Collins reveals the secrets to her successful marriage

Maybe fifth time’s the charm? After divorcing four previous husbands, Dame Joan Collins says she has finally found the secrets to a happy marriage. In an exclusive interview with <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-5431059/Dame-Joan-Collins-reveals-secrets-successful-marriage.html">The Mail on Sunday Life</a> the first secret, she shared, is banishing your other half to another room if they snore. The legendary stage and screen star also revealed honesty and giving compliments are also important factors in keeping a marriage successful, as is sharing the housework. “Percy and I manage our lives together, even down to household chores. We don’t have live-in staff,” Dame Joan revealed. Giving an open and hilarious insight into her 18-year marriage to her fifth husband, 52-year-old theatre manager Percy Gibson, Dame Joan, 84, explained, “We are together 24/7 except when he snores, and I say, ‘Darling, I think it’s best that you sleep in the guest room tonight.’” Another secret to Dame Joan and Percy’s successful marriage? The couple’s bathroom arrangements. Agreeing with fellow film star Michael Caine, the actress shared, “Michael once said the secret to a happy marriage is separate bathrooms. I know most people don’t have that luxury, but in our homes, and whenever possible in hotels, we try to keep to that rule. It really does make a difference." But their marriage and living arrangements aren’t always amicable. “Of course, we get irritated with each other, but we are quick to say sorry and we don’t have any secrets,” Dame Joan admitted. “We compliment each other all the time but I’m also quick to point out if he’s getting a bit of a tummy, and he will say if I’ve gone a bit OTT [over the top] with the glitz.” Dame Joan added, “Percy loves me best when we are at home together – me without makeup and him unshaven and in his tracksuit bottoms.” What do you think of Dame Joan Collins’ secrets to a successful marriage? Share your secrets to a happy marriage with us below.

Movies

Joan Collins to be fairy godmother of a cruise

Even cruise ships need fairy godmothers it seems. Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has just named legendary actress Dame Joan Collins as the godmother of its newest "Super Ship", the S.S Joie de Vivre, with a spokesperson explaining that she will lend her personality to the vessel and bestow good fortune on all who sail upon it. Los Angeles-based Uniworld's parent company, The Travel Corporation, wasn't entirely sure they'd proceed with building the S.S Joie de Vivre after the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015. But after more than seven decades of transporting travellers to the City of Light, the company decided it was more important than ever to show its continued support to the city and its citizens. "It seemed fitting to invite Dame Joan Collins to be godmother of Uniworld's French-based S.S Joie de Vivre knowing she also is a great supporter of the majestic city of Paris where the ship will regularly sail from," the spokesperson said. Collins, who has dozens of film, television and theatrical credits and is also a best-selling author, has close ties to France, rarely missing a summer in the Riviera, where she has a house, or missing Paris Fashion Week. "A renowned bon vivant, the English actress also embodies the 'joy of living' philosophy that is reflected in every bold detail and gentle touch of our newest Super Ship," Uniworld CEO Ellen Bettridge said. The S.S Joie de Vivre will sail Uniworld's Paris & Normandy route, its slightly smaller size in comparison with similar cruise ships allowing it to dock in the hear of Paris. Able to accommodate 128 passengers, the vessel will feature two royal suites, eight junior suites and 54 staterooms, all with marble-lined bathrooms. And guests won't have to wait to get to Paris to embrace the French appetite for good food and wine with the ship's focus on farm-to-table cuisine and local varietals. The French-inspire furnishings, art and antiques have also met Collins' taste test. “I hold France and its City of Light close to my heart, and now, thanks to Uniworld, my ties to the beautiful country are even closer," the former Dynasty actress said. "I am honoured to be the godmother of the S.S. Joie de Vivre and welcome guests from all over the world to fall in love with Paris just as I have." Written by Lorna Thornber. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Cruising

105-year-old Aucklander shares her secret to long life

Joan Brennan is 105 and credits her long life to home grown herbs – she discovered natural therapies in her 50s – and friendships. Brennan celebrated her latest birthday on Saturday at a party with friends and family at Point Chevalier's Selwyn Village. She said looking after her health had always been important to her. <img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35801/2_497x280.jpg" alt="2 (169)"/> She said she tried to stay away from taking conventional pills and tablets whenever possible. Some of the plants she had grown included milk thistle and arum lily - which she put on septic sores. Friendship had always been very important to her as well, she said. Her son, Barry Brennan said he believed she had lived so long because she had good genes, developed excellent survival skills from living through the 1920's and 1930's and had lived healthy by eating wisely and exercising every day. Brennan continued to volunteer every Tuesday at an opportunity shop. Selwyn Village senior administrator Lisa Hulton said Brennan regularly caught three buses from the village to buy organic vegetables on Richmond Rd. She's also the grand master of the 500 club at the village. Its members said she ran the weekly club, baked something different for it every week, did the dishes afterwards and still played a good game. Brennan was born in England in 1912 and moved to Australia in 1922 with her mother and sister, after her father was killed in WWI. She moved to New Zealand and trained as a nurse before returning overseas to the Isle of Man. Brennan met her husband Tom while in England and they relocated to New Zealand after getting married in 1935. For seven years they were lighthouse keepers on Portland Island in Hawkes Bay, looking for submarines and reporting on the weather. "These were very happy times - we did a lot of fishing together," she said. The couple relocated to Auckland, first to St Mary's Bay and then to Campbells Bay. In 1990 the Brennans shifted into Selwyn Village and Tom died in 1998. Written by Mary Fitzgerald. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Retirement Life

90-year-old to graduate university with a PhD

Tasmanian teacher Joan Webb, is about to achieve an incredible feat, earning her PhD from the University of Tasmania at the age of 90. She already received her Masters degree three years ago, and is on track to go one step further when she graduates with a doctorate this weekend. Webb has spent decades teaching both in the UK and in Australia, before turning to aged care facilities to run classes with elderly and sick people wanting to keep their minds active. “I found it most demanding and fascinating and a wonderful experience,” she told the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-16/joan-webb-just-turned-90-about-to-graduate-with-phd/7748002" target="_blank">ABC</a> of the first time she visited the facilities. “There are people in high care who have lost a massive amount of their physical capacity, and still have the most amazing ideas and creativity within them.” She began teaching creative writing in 2013 in these aged care homes, before switching her focus to poetry, finding the residents more receptive to its shorter format. “It was the most exciting experience probably of my whole life,” she said. Webb’s doctoral thesis, titled “I only look forward to Mondays”, discusses the importance of empowering elderly people (particularly aged care patients) with creative and intellectual pursuits. “It's very easy to sit in an armchair, switch the tele on and throw your life away like that,” Webb says of her decision to go to university. “As you do it and as you have this control, you get fascinated by the subject, and in the end you can't put it down and you just want to go on and on.” Congratulations, Joan! Did you attend university later in life? Share your experiences with us in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/08/74-year-old-coach-of-wayde-van-niekerk/">Meet the 74-year-old coach behind South Africa’s golden boy</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/great-grandma-rides-with-30-bikers-on-her-80th-birthday/">Great-grandma rides with 30 bikers on her 80th birthday</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/08/grandpa-declines-seat-on-rio-train/">Grandpa declines seat on Rio train in the most impressive way</a>

News

83-year-old Joan Collins parties with race car drivers

English actress Joan Collins is living her most fabulous life since turn 83 earlier in May. The Dynasty star is still “living life in the fast lane” in her 80s, recently sharing a photo of herself alongside two handsome Formula 1 race car drivers – Fernando Alonso, 34, and Jenson Button, 36. Dame Joan captioned the picture: “Living life in the fast lane next to a couple of @McLarenF1 champions @alo_oficial and my compatriot @JensonButton.” <img width="455" height="341" alt=" " class=" lazyloaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> Joan, who has been married to Percy Gibson since 2002. It’s lovely to see Joan out and about with a big smile on her face, after the unfortunate death of her sister and best-selling author Jackie Collins, in September last year. Joan said at the time, “I don't think I will ever recover from the sadness of losing my beautiful baby sister.” “Someone once said, 'The reality is that you don’t ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one, you learn to live with it,'" she continued. "I think Jackie would have liked us to do more than that. As she requested, I will not mourn her death, but rather celebrate her life.” Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/why-is-getting-older-treated-as-something-we-should-fix/">Why is getting older treated as something we should fix?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/05/tips-to-learn-not-to-sweat-the-small-stuff/">From going grey to a changing body, how I learnt not to sweat the small stuff</a> <a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/05/granny-models-by-eli-driu-for-never-alone-association/">Grannies become models to prove beauty has no limits</a>

News

Dynasty: where are they now?

The drama, the glamour, the hair… Dynasty hit our screens in 1981 and ran for nine seasons before its cancellation in 1989. It was the series that shot Heather Locklear to fame, but since this year marks its 35th anniversary, we decided to take a look at where the Carringtons are today. John Forsythe After Dynasty, Forsythe starred in the short-lived sitcom, The Powers That Be. He also voiced the mysterious Charlie in 2000’s Charlie’s Angels starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu. Forsythe sadly passed away in 2010 at the age of 92. Linda Evans Currently aged 73, Evans followed Dynasty with a number of TV movies such as The Stepsister, Dazzle and She’ll Take Romance. She returned to her role as Krystle in Dynasty: The Reunion in 1991. Joan Collins Collins, now 82, continued to experience success as an actress and also established a writing career, penning 17 books. Collins was awarded both an OBE in 1997 and a DBE in 2015 by the Queen and is currently married to her fifth husband, Percy Gibson. John James Following the series, Colby moved on to the Dynasty spinoff, The Colbys in 1985, which ran for two seasons. After this he continued to act in soaps such as As the World Turns and All My Children. The 59-year-old now lives in L.A. with wife Denise. Gordon Thomson Now 70, Thomson continued acting in soaps after Dynasty, with roles on The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives and Santa Barbara. He also appeared in the 2006 Best Picture Academy Award Winner Little Miss Sunshine. Pamela Bellwood Pamela, now 64, played Krystle’s friend Claudia Barrows from 1981 to 1986. After Dynasty, she continued to appear in TV series Murder She Wrote, The Twilight Zone and Criminal Minds. She is married to photographer Nik Wheeler and still acts occasionally under the name Pamela Bellwood-Wheeler. Pamela Sue Martin 63-year-old Martin, who played Fallon, continued her career with TV roles and also moved into writing and producing. In the 2000s, she became more involved in the theatre, directing plays for the Interplanetary Theatre Group. Al Corley After Corley, 59, was fired from the series after two seasons and his character recast, he returned for the 1991 reunion. Since then, he has had few acting roles. He currently lives in Los Angeles. Heather Locklear Locklear, 54, continued to have success in film and TV after Dynasty ended. She became famous for her role as Amanda Woodward on Melrose Place as well as parts in T. J. Hooker and Spin City. Most recently she had a recurring role on Hot in Cleveland and starred in TV comedy Franklin & Bash. Image: Getty Related links: <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/03/actors-hired-from-tv-shows-while-filming/">5 actors fired from hit TV shows while filming</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/03/where-full-house-cast-are-now/">Where the original Full House cast are now</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/02/tv-shows-ending-in-2016/">5 TV shows ending in 2016</a>

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Beloved Coronation Street star dies aged 89