Sheila Hancock shares three secrets behind living past 90

Edinburgh Live

a day ago

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Acting legend Dame Sheila Hancock has revealed her three secrets to living so long, after the beloved actor recently celebrated her 92nd birthday.
Having appeared in some of the nation's favourite TV shows and films down the years, her first foray into acting came on stage in the 1950s, with her going on to be cast in a number of West End shows in her early years in the industry.
As the years passed, her stock continued to rise with her soon swapping the stage for various roles in front of the camera both in cinema and TV. Her debut came in the much-loved Rag Trade that aired on the BBC in the early 1960s.
(Image:for The Ivy West Street)
And before long, she soon started to earn a flurry of other high-profile roles down the years on shows including Doctor Who, EastEnders and The Catherine Tate Show. One of her latest performances came in ITV's Unforgotten, starring as Eileen.
More recently, she has been seen in a slew of TV shows alongside her close friend Gyles Brandreth as they joined forces in Great Canal Journeys on Channel 4.
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Now, during a recent appearance on Katherine Ryan's What's My Age podcast, the actor opened up on how she has managed to remain in such good health at the age of 92, saying that having a positive "mental attitude" and being "curious" have stood her in good stead over the years.
Meanwhile, she shared how her career has enabled her to always keep on top of her fitness, before adding that trips to dance classes and the gym have also managed to keep her in-check physically.
(Image: Getty Images)
While adding that "sensible" eating provides another potential key to her longevity, she admitted that she has allowed herself the occasional treat down the years, saying: "Well, not always, but I've mainly eaten sensibly, except of course one eats after the show and all the silly things."
And, she said that she can see how her healthy lifestyle compares to some of those around her of a similar age, saying: "But I know that I am better than most of my contemporaries in terms of health."
(Image: PA)
She added: "I mean, I haven't had any replacements or anything like that. But then I think I've got quite a high pain threshold. I'm quite good with pain."
She also spoke of how she has decided to brave it out when it comes to a recent hip pain she has been suffering from, whereas saying she believes that others her age might be inclined to seek a hip replacement.