Latest news with #SheilaHancock
Edinburgh Live
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Sheila Hancock shares three secrets behind living past 90
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 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. (Image:) 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.
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
This VE Day, ‘never again' has never rung so hollow
Simon Tisdall (It's right to remember the dead of 1939-45. But keep the anger about current wars too, 4 May) asks of current global conflicts: why is this carnage tolerated, even normalised? He cites several reasons, but the one I identify with most is the overwhelming nature of it all – a world weariness shared by western governments. It is especially relevant to Gaza, which is in an extremely parlous state, yet the silence on its almost complete annihilation is thunderous. It is of great credit to the Guardian that it continues to publish articles on this. Sheila Hancock (My VE Day was nothing like our image of it today. I hope we can honour what it really meant, 3 May) raises the sadness surrounding the decline of the legacy of that conflict, when 'never again' and the building of a better world was the mantra – something that for a while was achieved for some. As Tisdall writes, people feel powerless to change any of it, but I cannot help but observe that governments calling bad actors to account more publicly might have some effect. Jillian Forster-Walmsley Skipton, North Yorkshire What a humane and sobering piece by Sheila Hancock. VE Day marks the defeat of fascism in Europe by the allied forces of the US, the Soviet Union, Britain, Canada and many others. The irony in Britain in May 2025 is that the victory over that far-right ideology is being commemorated in a hail of flags and poppies by a population that just a week ago voted convincingly for a nationalist party in the local elections. Perhaps the greatest vice of all is forgetfulness. Adrian Hackford Folkestone, Kent Like Sheila Hancock, although she doesn't mention it in her article, I am a Quaker. It was impossible not to be moved by her reflective piece, which reminded me of a conversation I once had with my dear mother. One year, as VE Day approached, I asked her if she remembered the celebrations in 1945. There hadn't been much of that in her house, she said. It was just six months or so since her brother Harry had lost his life with the Eighth Army in Italy. There must have been many other families like the Whitticks who mourned while others partied. Bill McMellon Chichester I am reminded of my mother's remark on the 50th anniversary. Then, as now, the media emphasised the relief and happiness of that day. My mother said bitterly: 'They never admit that the war changed life for the worse for many of us.' Her fiance had not returned from the Normandy landings, and her joy went with him. Anne Maclennan Cuguen, France I welcomed your article on the lack of awareness of the contributions that Black, Commonwealth and Muslim communities made during the world wars (Britons largely unaware of Black and Asian contribution to WW2 effort, research shows, 4 May). As you highlight, the armies, in their ethnic and faith mix, looked very much like the Britain of 2025 and nothing at all like the Britain of 1914 or 1939. Our project, Great Faith: Stories of Sacrifice and Contribution, which we hope to tour around the country, comprises 80 portraits by the renowned artist Arabella Dorman, of Muslim servicemen and women who fought during the world wars, and those who serve today. We hope it will help raise awareness of all those who have contributed to making Britain great. Nizam Uddin Conven er, Great Faith: Stories of Sacrifice and Contribution Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Powys County Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Actress Sheila Hancock says we should thank veterans by making ‘a better world'
Actress Dame Sheila Hancock has said we must thank veterans by 'making sure that we make a better world' ahead of the Victory in Europe (VE) Day 80 concert. The 92-year-old English actress who starred in EastEnders and sitcoms including The Rag Trade, Mr Digby Darling and Now, Take My Wife, was evacuated as a child during the Second World War. Dame Sheila is due to appear at the VE Day concert on Thursday, alongside Dames Joan Collins and Mary Berry, to lend their voices in commemoration of the Second World War and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed. Speaking on The One Show, Dame Sheila said: 'I pray that now, rather than looking back and thanking the veterans, we thank them by making sure it doesn't happen again, and making sure that we make a better world, the only way we are going to solve the huge problems that we have in the world is to unite, love and care for one another worldwide, not within the country. 'That is the greatest gift that we can give for the lovely people who gave their lives for us.' The English actress is best known for her roles on the stage and has taken home an Olivier for Cabaret as well as received Bafta nods for thriller The Russian Bride and sitcom Bedtime. She has also been nominated for a Tony Award for the play Entertaining Mr Sloane. Dame Sheila added: 'I was evacuated as well at one stage. So how they (Sheila's parents) allowed a seven-year-old child to go away with a label on her? I ran away and I came back. But I mean, it was, it was a terrible time for everybody, and we must never forget, the war is absolutely dreadful. 'The thing I remember, and I generally do remember this, my dad kissed my mum on the forehead. And I don't know whether that was because they were saying, 'Thank God these last few years are over', or whether he was sort of saying, 'We've got to have the strength now to build up again where destitute, the whole place is ruined, and we have to build a new world'. I don't know. But I mean, people didn't kiss, they didn't hold one another in those days, for us kids, it was wonderful. '(My Dad) said to me, 'Sheila, this must never happen again. And it's down to you'. That's rather what I feel that we need to say to this generation, it's not all lovely parties in the street, it's not all jubilation. 'It's down to you to change this world.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Actress Sheila Hancock says we should thank veterans by making ‘a better world'
Actress Dame Sheila Hancock has said we must thank veterans by 'making sure that we make a better world' ahead of the Victory in Europe (VE) Day 80 concert. The 92-year-old English actress who starred in EastEnders and sitcoms including The Rag Trade, Mr Digby Darling and Now, Take My Wife, was evacuated as a child during the Second World War. Dame Sheila is due to appear at the VE Day concert on Thursday, alongside Dames Joan Collins and Mary Berry, to lend their voices in commemoration of the Second World War and pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed. Speaking on The One Show, Dame Sheila said: 'I pray that now, rather than looking back and thanking the veterans, we thank them by making sure it doesn't happen again, and making sure that we make a better world, the only way we are going to solve the huge problems that we have in the world is to unite, love and care for one another worldwide, not within the country. 'That is the greatest gift that we can give for the lovely people who gave their lives for us.' The English actress is best known for her roles on the stage and has taken home an Olivier for Cabaret as well as received Bafta nods for thriller The Russian Bride and sitcom Bedtime. She has also been nominated for a Tony Award for the play Entertaining Mr Sloane. Dame Sheila added: 'I was evacuated as well at one stage. So how they (Sheila's parents) allowed a seven-year-old child to go away with a label on her? I ran away and I came back. But I mean, it was, it was a terrible time for everybody, and we must never forget, the war is absolutely dreadful. 'The thing I remember, and I generally do remember this, my dad kissed my mum on the forehead. And I don't know whether that was because they were saying, 'Thank God these last few years are over', or whether he was sort of saying, 'We've got to have the strength now to build up again where destitute, the whole place is ruined, and we have to build a new world'. I don't know. But I mean, people didn't kiss, they didn't hold one another in those days, for us kids, it was wonderful. '(My Dad) said to me, 'Sheila, this must never happen again. And it's down to you'. That's rather what I feel that we need to say to this generation, it's not all lovely parties in the street, it's not all jubilation. 'It's down to you to change this world.'
