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Home , Dudley Sutton, Fanny Hill (TV serial), George Layton, June Whitfield, Marian McLoughlin, Paula Wilcox

“BOOMERS” PRESS PACK

Starring:

Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Philip Jackson, James Smith, Alison Steadman, and .

A Hat Trick production for BBC One

TXing from Friday 15 August at 9pm on BBC One

For further information please contact: AN/KB3

“BOOMERS” INTRODUCTION

'Life is a long journey. If we're lucky, we'll make some along the way. If we're unlucky, they'll stay in touch.'

The brand-new BBC One comedy series Boomers has a stellar cast of much-loved British actors: Russ Abbot, Stephanie Beacham, Philip Jackson, James Smith, Alison Steadman, June Whitfield and Paula Wilcox. Boomers follows the ups and downs of three couples living in Thurnemouth, 'Norfolk's only West facing resort.'

Alan (Philip Jackson, Pete Versus Life, Poirot, My Week With Marilyn) and Joyce (Alison Steadman, The Syndicate, Gavin and Stacey, Love And Marriage), are coming at retirement from very different directions: Alan wants to slow down, Joyce wants to speed up. Alan tries to avoid as many of Joyce's social commitments as possible, but downsizing to a bungalow has meant there are fewer places to hide.

John (Russ Abbot, September Song) and Maureen (Stephanie Beacham, Bad Girls, Dynasty), live in their gadget-filled dream house, adventurous in every aspect including the bedroom. For them 60 is the new 40. However, there's a reminder of what's around the corner with Maureen's ever-present Mum Joan (June Whitfield, , Terry & June).

And finally there's Trevor (James Smith, Grandma's House, In The Loop, The Thick Of It) and Carol (Paula Wilcox, Mount Pleasant, The Smoking Room, ) who've got non- communication down to such a fine art that if Trevor spent a weekend away, Carol might not even notice. 30 years of living in each other's pockets have shown the benefits and drawbacks of staying friends over the decades...

As the series opens, Alan’s looking forward to Jean’s funeral; his old mate Mick, Jean’s ex, is coming over from Spain specially for it. Joyce isn’t happy - Mick has always been a bad influence. John’s not happy either - he’s been convinced that Mick has a thing for Maureen ever since a notorious holiday in Weymouth. And when Mick turns up, he’s got a surprise for everyone - a thirty year old Lithuanian wife... Each couple starts to take a long, hard look at who they've ended up with; there's so much more to achieve in their own lives, do they want to spend the rest of it with each other?

Guests joining our all-star ensemble cast during the series include Nigel Planer (The Young Ones, I Give It A Year, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), (Emmerdale, Lovejoy), Marion McLoughlin (Spy, Doctors) and George Layton (EastEnders, Doctor in the House).

Boomers (6 x 30') is written by Richard Pinto (Fresh Meat, Citizen Khan, The Armstrong & Miller Show, The Kumars at No 42) and produced by Paul Schlesinger (W1A, the BAFTA winning Twenty Twelve, Citizen Khan). The series is directed by Adam Miller (Some Girls, Mongrels, Katy Brand's Big Ass Show). The Executive Producers are Jimmy Mulville for Hat Trick Productions and Shane Allen (Controller of Comedy Commissioning) and Gregor Sharp (Commissioning Editor) for the BBC.

BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore says: “Comedy has a unique ability to make the ordinary extraordinary and Boomers delivers that with a big hit of characters. The series follows three newly retired couples who re-discover what it means to have time on their hands, hilariously brought to life by a stellar cast whose relationships are tested in a multitude of ways.”

Shane Allen comments: “This is a very modern, affectionate and brutally honest single camera take on a stage of life often stereotyped and outmoded in sitcomworld. Cast perfection on top of a script that glitters with comedy gems.”

Jimmy Mulville says: “Richard Pinto has captured exactly what it's like to be 60-something in the 21st Century. It's laugh-out-loud and touching, sometimes in the same moment.”

Paul Schlesinger adds: “I'm delighted we are making this for BBC One - especially as the stories revolve around a group of characters who don't often take centre stage in comedy. These are forensically observed relationships with a superb cast which we hope will bring audiences back week after week.”

Boomers is a Hat Trick production for BBC One.

“BOOMERS” Character Breakdowns

JOYCE (Alison Steadman)

Married to Alan. Joyce doesn’t like surprises, and prefers to be in control of every aspect of hers and everybody else’s life. She is a part-time receptionist at a GP surgery, nearing retirement and a keen member of the local choral society. Joyce worries a lot about her close circle of dear friends, and when they’re next going to embarrass her in public. She got on very well with her parents, always a good girl, but mum was keen for her to get married and leave home because she kept re-arranging the furniture. Most likely to say: “I don't know why I bother trying to do things for people.”

ALAN (Philip Jackson)

Married to Joyce. Alan always thought retirement would mean more time to spend socialising with his wife and their friends. Unfortunately he turned out to be right. He's a bit of a misery, careful with his money - because, as he rightly points out, he doesn’t earn any - but underneath it all, his ’s in the right place. Most likely to say: “But we went out last month.”

JOHN (Russ Abbott)

Married to Maureen. John’s an ex-plumber, a practical man, organised and sorted. He finds life pretty straightforward and doesn’t understand people who don’t. He’s got a big heart and he’ll always try and see things from other people’s point of view. It doesn’t often work, but he’ll give it a go. Anything abstract he finds dull: art, politics, religion... ‘I can’t see the point of it, you know what I mean? What’s the point of it?’ He's secretary of the Boat Club, does some driving for the local care home occasionally and the odd bit of plumbing for friends. Most likely to say: “You want to get yourself one of these.”

MAUREEN (Stephanie Beacham)

Married to John. Maureen lives life to the full. A little bit ageist, in that she doesn’t enjoy mixing with old people... She is impulsive, says what’s on her mind without too much thought for the consequences. She prides herself on being a bubbly personality, not giving in to the

ageing process, and on still having a great body. Used to look after John's diary at his plumbing firm. She enjoys New Age healing, homeopathy and jewellery making. Most likely to say: “I'm not going if there's gonna be old people there...”

TREVOR (James Smith)

Married to Carol. Trevor’s a creature of routine. He likes to know exactly what’s going to happen, otherwise he gets edgy. As a result he’s become very concerned with being able to manage and control life’s variables - traffic, which banks offer the best interest rates etc. He sees himself as easy-going, sociable, sharp and quick-witted. He’s a member of lots of clubs and societies, gets on great with everyone. He doesn’t seem to have collected many friends along the way but puts that down to everyone being so busy these days, there just isn’t much time for socialising. Trevor feels he is coming into his prime; as John says, he was born to be retired... Most likely to say: “Stop me if I'm boring you...”

CAROL (Paula Wilcox)

Married to Trevor. Carol is a carer who spent a lot of time looking after other people. She is very straightforward, friendly and chatty, wears her heart on her sleeve and will always say what’s on her mind. Naturally unadventurous and timid, but now she’s faced with a long retirement listening to Trevor’s anecdotes, she’s decided she wants to get a little bit more out of life. She's also very literal-minded - John once convinced her that wind turbines were giant fans used to cool everyone down when it gets too hot. Most likely to say: “You want a bit of sophistication. A little bit of cosmo...politaneity.”

JOAN (June Whitfield)

Not afraid to impose herself and her wheelchair on the younger generation, she’ll always tag along whenever possible. Joan has reached an age where she’s not afraid to drink heavily in public and give her opinions without being asked. She was happiest as a black marketeer after the war - the money was good. Most likely to say: “I'll have a very small glass of red wine.”

“BOOMERS” Production Notes

The baby boomer generation

Mick: 'We deserve better than this don't we?... We're part of the golden generation aren't we? 'Baby Boomers'... Look at what we did in the sixties – we had the first heart transplant, we landed on the Moon... We changed the world for the better.”

As Boomers went into production, the 66 year old American humorist PJ O'Rourke published a book called Baby Boomers in which he celebrates everyone born between 1946 and 1964: “We are the best generation in history. Which goes to show history stinks. But at least we are fabulous by historical standards.” He argues that those “spoilt brats”, of which he is one, were born in conditions of unparalleled liberty, peace and prosperity into the stable two parent families created by the “greatest generation” who lived through the war. Those idyllic days before computers, peanut allergies and anorexia, free to torture frogs and old people. Boomers were the first teenagers, treating adult life as a prolongation of irresponsible adolescence. According to O'Rourke, this produced larger than life personalities with a passion for living.

As children in the fifties they enjoyed unparalleled affluence; as adolescents in the 60s they made love not war and ignored society's restrictions. They chopped off their long hair and had a guaranteed job for life whilst pursuing 'personal growth'. Now they might be moving on to artificial hips, flesh-coloured hearing aids and living a long time, bankrupting the pension system and spending the kids' inheritance. “We're riding down the highway of life in a Welfare Cadillac.... We may have created a personal universe but we've left behind a depleted, debilitated Earth.”

“BOOMERS” Interviews

Writer Richard Pinto

What inspired you to write Boomers? Watching family and friends in their sixties, newly retired, struggling to cope with new routines, having to spend more time with each other, dealing with new challenges to mental and physical health, and thinking ‘That’s really funny’.”

What makes the series different? I think the fact that it's friends-oriented rather than being based on family relationships. Too often this generation is only represented in the way it relates to younger generations, as if they’re only validated by that connection to younger people. In fact, like every generation, they have just as much, if not more, interaction with their group of friends. They tend to have way more active social lives than people of my generation - my parents are out with their mates every night of the week.

Boomers is character-based comedy, centred on a small world - a retirement community in a Norfolk seaside town. Why did you decide to set it there? This community’s world view is perhaps slightly narrower than people in a more cosmopolitan area - across all age groups, not just the sixty-plus - and there may be a few more flags of St George fluttering from bungalows; but our characters are all prepared (to varying degrees) to embrace change and new ideas.”

The overall outlook of the characters in Boomers seems upbeat? The world inhabited by them is full of exciting opportunities, and people who look to the future rather than the past. In my experience people in their sixties are better at enjoying themselves than other generations. They’re the Golden Generation if you like, the touchstone for our evolving post war society – they missed the grimness of the Second World War, discovered sex and drugs in the sixties, survived drink-driving and avocado bathroom suites in the seventies, rode the property wave of the eighties, got rid of the kids in the nineties in time to enjoy the benefits of the FaceTime and Selfie age in the 2000s - my mum spends more time on the internet than all of my teenage daughters put together.

Although Boomers might be about retired people, they’re newly-retired? That’s important because it means they’re the new kids on the block; the youngest people in their community, learning as they go along ‘how to be retired’. Obviously this highlights another truism: we never stop learning. But the older we get, the more difficult it becomes to take new things on board. We struggle with it. And the more we struggle, the funnier we get.

So the series is about three couples, and the pressures that retirement puts on their relationships: I think the conversations they have ring true across generational divides. Having to spend more time with your spouse can be difficult, because by the time you retire you’re set in your ways, and you just end up getting under each other’s feet. One long-suffering wife once described retirement as ‘twice the man on half the money’. Perhaps It’s not surprising then that the 60 plus age group has the fastest growing divorce rate of any demographic group - the ‘Silver Splitter’ phenomenon. ‘Will you still need me when I’m 64?’ Maybe not...”

Alison Steadman plays Joyce

Have you enjoyed filming Boomers? It's lots of fun, a nice group of people, and we all get on really well - although our characters are all getting on great one minute, then the next they're snippy with each other. The perils of knowing each other for decades and spending so much time together! There is so much to play with in the set up and so much that can - and does - happen.

How would you describe your character Joyce? She's a bit of an organiser who hen-pecks her husband. Poor man, he seemingly can't do anything right – and that's great fun to play! She is dreading retirement as she's a real busybody. She's got a son who's married and lives a long way away in Cornwall – I wonder why! She's always going on about Lee and Suze not coming to visit and having to go all that way to see them. She doesn't get on very well with her daughter-in-law, but is thrilled when she learns she is expecting her first grandchild. Try keeping her away!

Do you see anything of yourself in Joyce? I suppose so, but I hope I'm not a bully. She doesn't mean to, but Alan does get on her nerves. One nice thing that the writer Richard Pinto has done is the tone of her voice when

she uses his name 'Allllan'. He immediately wonders what he has done wrong. I was out at a dinner party a few weeks ago and the hostess kept shooting her eyes up even as she was smiling 'Why can't he do anything right?' and I was watching her and thought 'There's a lot of Joyce in that!' She does like to rule the roost, but she's not nasty.

What has Joyce been doing for a living? She's on the admin team at an NHS health centre. It's a low-key job but busy and she is surrounded by people. Lots of people go to work for the companionship of their workmates, not necessarily because they like the job. If they were doing it totally alone, they would probably hate it. Joyce enjoys the daily banter.

You are in fact coming up to 68. Would you ever consider retirement? Actors, of course, lead very different lives as many of them never actually retire. We're really lucky in many ways. Sometimes the acting business retires us, which is a bit sad for some people. But look at June Whitfield. She's 88 and amazing, sharp as anything, a real example of what you can do if you've got your health and your mind – a true inspiration to us all! So no, I don't think about retiring. And I wouldn't want to be isolated in some little town where everyone is doing the same thing.

How do you fill your time when you're not working? I like to keep active. I walk as much as I can, I go to the cinema, the theatre. I don't ever want to be cut off from the younger generation and life. I have two sons, Toby and Leo, who are in their 30s, and they keep you young with their banter and what they're up to. I also have a niece who lives in London and works in wardrobe and make-up and she's always telling me about her tours. One hopes to be able to offer a bit of advice if ever they need it. I feel lucky because I have never been out of work, touch wood, and I feel sorry for young actors now because it's harder and harder with fewer and fewer jobs – and so many people going into the profession.

So as Joyce nears retirement, Alan offers to host a party at home? He does, and no matter how much you prepare these things in advance you're always exhausted at the end of the night, running around, serving drinks, mopping up spills, making sure everyone's having a good time. She never wanted the party in her house. She wanted a surprise party in the Marriott Hotel. It's a nightmare for her. Her dippy friend Carol has agreed to do Vietnamese food but it all goes horribly wrong.

Any parallels with Beverly, dispenser of 'cheesy pineapple bits' in the play Abigail's Party which caused a TV sensation and made you a household name in 1977? I still have a soft spot for Beverly and it was terrific fun playing her, but I've spent more than thirty years working hard not to repeat the role. No idea why I'm cast in these roles. I'm such a shrinking violet!

Boomers is all about long-standing friendships. Who is your longest standing friend? My friend Hilary lives in Maine, America. I grew up with her on the same street in and we have known each other since we were born.

How does it feel growing older? Most people have a problem with zero numbers because they seem a real marker in your life. Turning 50 wasn't a big thing for me. I sailed through it. Being 60, knowing I had a pension coming soon, was a bit more difficult!

Are you forgetful? Don't! I'm so forgetful. I recently lost my glasses and hunted high and low for them for about an hour. I then went to the fridge to get some water, and there they were, sitting on the shelf, all frosted up. I couldn't believe it. It was ridiculous.

How do you cope with learning lines? It's still difficult and requires a lot of hard work. I do sometimes throw the script to the floor and think I can't learn it but then I have a cup of tea, take a deep breath and go for a walk.

What else do you do to unwind at the end of a long day's filming? I love Scrabble and entertaining. I probably have an extra glass of wine at night, when I shouldn't. A wardrobe mistress once told me she's never seen anyone as quick as me as opening a bottle of wine when I come off stage. To wind down I do a quick crossword and I love karaoke. I have my own machine and if I get really stressed I think 'Fingers crossed the neighbours enjoy it', put it on and I just SING. All sorts: Adele, Susan Boyle, Nina Simone. I pick songs my voice can cope with. Last time my sons came to visit I sang the Lily Allen song Smile and they all sat there with cushions over their faces.

Did your parents – an electrical engineer and a housewife - encourage you to become an actress?

My parents taught me to be brave and gave me the courage to follow my dreams. My dad was a very gentle, quiet man and he loved to paint and draw and he encouraged me to do the same. I really enjoyed it.

How do you feel now that your own children are grown up and have lives of their own? The happiest period in my life was when they were growing up. We had such fun. I made new friends with women who had kids of a similar age and we'd go on holiday together. Although I still see them, there is a little bit of emptiness there.

Do you embrace modern technology? I do all the basics. I email, text, download things, I can buy stuff online, share pictures. I think texting and emails are wonderful ways to keep in touch, and I do both every day, but I find that when I check my emails, an hour has gone in the blink of an eye. Twitter and Facebook would intrude too much on my day. I love being able to access my emails on the go, and I love YouTube with cats playing the piano and all its silly little films. They're fun to share with friends.

I also love wildlife and bird watching with my binoculars. If I spot a warbler, I enjoy being able to search online for it. In the past you had to go to libraries, leaf through big encyclopaedias. I love how fast and accessible things are now, although there are downsides too of course. I like to escape to nature reserves and I am really lucky because I live in Highgate which is full of green spaces. If I hadn't been an actress I'd have loved to work with wildlife.

Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery? I'm terrified of anaesthetic and surgery so why would I possibly put myself through something I didn't have to? I hate hospitals. I think it's really sad that women feel they've got to have all this treatment. I would hate to look in the mirror and not see me but this woman who looked a bit like me. Nowadays, when I stand in front of a mirror, I can see my mother Marjorie looking back at me. It's quite uncanny. Make the best of what you've got, that's what I say. Look after yourself, eat well and put on a bit of moisturiser!

You grew up in Liverpool during the '60s – it must have been a very exciting place to be? I do have some nostalgia for the '60s, which is when I went to drama school. I adored the Beatles and I grew my hair long. I met John Lennon and Paul McCartney when I was 16 and

I got their autographs. My friends and I went to see them at a lunchtime session at the Cavern Club. We came out very giggly and followed them down the street. I asked Paul for his autograph and he was really sweet. They weren't famous outside Liverpool yet as it was before Love Me Do, their first hit single, in 1962. Paul signed my book 'To Alison, love from Paul' and handed it back to me before saying 'Hang on a minute, I'd better put The Beatles because in the future, somebody's bound to look at this and say 'Who the bloody hell is Paul?'

Baby boomers are often accused of ruining the planet? We should never take nature for granted. I would like to do more with wildlife and conservation. The programme I would really like to make is not sexy, but about plastics and the over-use of packaging and creatures choking. I haven't accepted a plastic bag in years. My mum never went out without her shopping bag. The huge use of plastic bags, which aren't biodegradable, makes me very depressed.

Who will Boomers appeal to? The majority of people watching Friday night BBC One are over 50. The 20-somethings are all out and watching on catch-up. They want to relate to what they watch. That's the fun – we all do that and it's so like real life.

What would be your epitaph? She was kind. I think kindness is so important. We all have spells when life is wonderful and then all of a sudden we can be thrown into terrible difficulties. None of us escape these things, so I think we have to be kind to each other.

Philip Jackson plays Alan

How would you describe Alan? He's intelligent, pedantic, quite grumpy at times and prone to a rant. Everyone enjoys teasing him. He was managing director of a small engineering firm so he had some responsibility but of the three men he's probably the one who's most cheesed off with retirement. He's less willing to take risks and he tends to get more irritated by things. There are loads of scenes where his wife Joyce is telling him off, criticising him and getting him to do things he doesn't want to. But he doesn't necessarily do what she says.

Does he talk about that much with his friends? They keep their privacy as couples. We all know that Carol is having a crisis in her marriage, and we are keen to help out in whatever way we can. At one stage the three couples go off to a holiday village together and he resolves to switch off his phone so he doesn't get disturbed by work - he's not used to the idea of retirement yet!

Do you see anything of yourself in Alan? Sadly, far too much. But I'm not telling you which bits...

I understand you have worked with Alison several times before? We've known each other for many years and whenever we work together it's a delight. In fact I played her husband in the Pasmore adapted by Richard Eyre from the novel by David Storey. We also appeared together in , the bawdy romp adapted by Andrew Davies. Alison was the madame of a brothel and I was a client – a different type of relationship! And we appeared together in The Wimbledon Poisoner by Nigel Williams.

How do you view growing older? As the Rolling Stones sang on the Aftermath album in 1966: “What a drag it is getting old.” A lot of people become quite boring as they get older. I'm really trying not to do that. If anything, I's quite like to get more frivolous and irresponsible before fading away. As benjamin Franklin said: “We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing!” When I was younger the idea of spending time with someone in their sixties, well, I just wouldn't have dreamt of it. Whereas now the baby boomer generation are viewed as normal, fresh, dynamic and energetic people. When are we going to start feeling old? My generation have a dynamic lifestyle, lots of play. We're certainly not fading away.

How are all the marriages in the series? John and Alan's marriages are both pretty good and solid. Trevor isn't the easiest person to live with. I wouldn't want to be married to him! There but for the grace... All of them have been married for about 40 years.

You've been married a long time? Yes, Sally and I have been married (very happily) for 33 years and we have two children, George and Amy.

Would you ever think about retiring? The world of retirement isn't one I recognise as an actor. That sedentary lifestyle when you're not working. I've never known the permanence of a regular job, but between acting commitments time is your own, and I have no difficulty finding enjoyable things to do.

How do you fill your time when you're not working? Playing tennis, reading, meeting pals, movies, a bit of theatre, travel, music, marvelling at my kids' achievements, eating drinking, mowing the grass and writing the definitive novel about the decline of Western civilisation.

Boomers is all about long-standing friendships. Who is your longest standing friend? He's called Max Blagg. He's a poet and has lived in New York since 1972. We were born in the same hospital ward in Retford within a few days of each other and went to school together and, though we don't see each other very often, we have a great sense of our shared history.

Are you forgetful? Yes, and no. What was the question again?

How do you cope with learning lines? Learning lines is the most boring part of an actor's job. There is no quick fix. You just have to go over and over it again and again until the lines stick. I don't have a problem with that as long as I can find the time to crank it out. It's very irritating for anyone within earshot.

What else do you do to unwind at the end of a long day's filming? Drink a couple of glasses of very cold White Burgundy and listen to Damien Dempsey.

Do you embrace modern technology? Yes, I'm pretty good. I'm an iPad and iPhone person, but I'm frequently enraged by how often technology DOES SOMETHING I DON'T WANT IT TO FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I refuse to use SatNavs as they always send you the wrong way. What's wrong with maps? And Kindles are just plain stupid. I like reading books, and I do not want to read a screen. I also like vinyl. (That all sounds a bit Alan, does it not?)

Who will Boomers appeal to do you think? People of all religions, whatever their sexual proclivities.

What would be your epitaph? He had a fine head of hair...

Stephanie Beacham plays Maureen

You are currently celebrating fifty glorious years in show business?

How time flies!

What drew you to the part?

I have played my share of hard-edged women in my career, but I feel that the part of Maureen is like coming home: I've worked around the world and now I'm playing a woman who comes from North London, not a million miles from where I started out. I loved Richard's scripts. At first you think they sound like normal speech, but the word structure is wonderfully comedic - and genuinely difficult to learn. It's rhythmic, like poetry. And of course the cast is just wonderful. To have Russ Abbot as my husband was too good to resist. There is nothing he hasn't got a joke about. He is like Fagin's coat, all pockets. He must have twenty-six thousand jokes in his head! He's a darling.

How would you describe Maureen?

Well, I adore her. She's very straight, no-nonsense and she's unlike anyone I've played before. She's an extremely nice woman, but she will tell you exactly what she thinks. Maureen is very happily married to John who was a plumber, and she held his diary. She always knew where he was – if he was around with Mrs Harris she'd know because she'd booked it. They have a very strong and good marriage.

What's the secret to that happy marriage?

John does what Maureen tells him – that's the answer to everything, isn't it? Mark, their son, has taken a little time settling down. Some people might think he hasn't succeeded very well in life, but he's coming round. They were very disappointed that he hadn't taken over the business. I don't normally play someone in a happy marriage and what a glorious change of pace for me. Maureen makes the best of everything.

What does she think of the men around her?

Men are a different species. She likes to talk to her girlfriends.

Maureen seems to be refusing to grow old?

She takes care of her appearance. Maureen invented her look in the sixties and eighties and probably watched Dynasty. I don't identify with her look – the white tips on the nails, rather pale on the lipstick and heavy on the lip liner. But we've all got a friend who's a Maureen. She's the one who brings two bottles of champagne to the party, the over-generous one who arranges the jolly, the tickets; she's lovely to play. As far as she's concerned she's still young – what is all this business with people who let their hair go? She's also up with social media – she has a car accident and the first thing she does is update her status on Facebook.

How does she get on with her mother?

Well, mum is played by the great June Whitfield. Mum enjoys the odd drink, which creates a few problems. She keeps being sent into an old people's home but lands back with John and Maureen. But they don't get hysterical about her. Maureen's a coper.

Did you always want to act?

My original plan was to teach deaf children to dance. When I became an actress instead I planned to do only French films and Shakespeare. My aunt referred to my career as 'gallivanting'. If I could go back I'd spend more time doing Shakespeare and less making really bad horror movies. By the time I did I was in my mid-30s, a single parent with a failed marriage behind me. But suddenly my daughters and I were living life in technicolour, in America, by the seaside, under the sun, it was wonderful.

Are you enjoying doing more comedy as you get older?

Absolutely. It feels like a complete re-invention. I feel so privileged to be working with Russ Abbot and June Whitfield. Russ seems to respect my acting approach and I absolutely absorb his comedic approach, so there's a mutual respect. June and I have worked together before and I adore her.

Would you ever consider retiring?

Not really, I just keep on having so many fabulous new experiences. I might expect to be the granny or the dowager at the end of the table ruining everyone's lives, but Boomers is about people of a pensionable age and we are the stars of the show. I'm not sure this has happened much before. Such a rich source of humour. It's rather lovely having alighted on this lily pond and be wobbling around on it. I'm enjoying life and having fun, always looking forward to things. It's not about working and not working but about living. I am choosing productions that interest me. I can't believe how much I still learn on a daily basis about so much. I'm always greedy – a terrible magpie. I grab things. Providing you can still learn lines, age isn't an issue in our job. Just look at June.

You are very well known for your ageless beauty but have you ever considered plastic surgery?

Well, I have looked in the mirror and thought 'no, that is not the way to go.' I am physically frightened at the thought of going under the knife and have avoided anything like that, including Botox. I'm not anti-surgery but I wouldn't want to end up looking like Joan Rivers. What has she done to herself?

Your travelling probably keeps you busy too?

I admit to being a bit of a nomad: I am selling a place in Morocco, I have a house in Spain, I still have places in Malibu and London, and I live in a series of hovels! The only difficulty is my dogs because they've got fatter so even more expensive to cart around now. I had an assistant bring them over from America as service dogs because I am very deaf. One's a Jack Russell Shitzu with an underbite and if she were a child you'd think 'I don't care about your education, it's the orthodontics I'm going to spend my money on!' The other runs around on three legs because she was beaten as a baby and I picked her up half dead in Houston, Texas. I'm devoted to the ridiculous creatures!

Tell us more about your deafness?

I was born completely deaf in one ear and used to get called 'Deaf Steph' at school and the hurt will live with me forever. As a child, being deaf was dreadfully isolating, but I'm lucky to have any hearing at all. My mother Joan had chickenpox when she was pregnant, so I was born with no nerve endings in my right ear and I have 80% hearing in my left. The more that can be understood about deafness the better, especially as so many older people suffer from it. I realised early on that deafness is often associated with stupidity so I always had a retort and felt I had to prove myself. I need down time and am much more of a loner than I would be with full hearing. One on one I'm deeply communicative but take me to a party and I'm snooty because I can't actually hear anything.

How do you get on with modern technology?

I do use the internet a lot – in fact I met my partner Bernie via the internet! A mutual friend thought we might get on and gave him my email address. He's a British doctor living in Spain. It was dizzying – we exchanged emails of such depth. Three weeks later he flew to my home in Malibu and as soon as we met I felt I knew his soul. I thoroughly recommend falling in love if you want to look ten years younger!

What else do you do to defy the passing years?

I brought out my own range of skincare products with Harley Street Skin Care. I don't want to

deny my years, but I do want to look fabulous whatever my age. I've always had a Mediterranean diet – no bread but plenty of fruit, vegetables and salad. I packed up smoking ten years ago and don’t drink. I also do Pilates and yoga regularly and always walk the dogs twice a day. I guess I've just learned to appreciate life and not to worry about what's round the corner.

Do you enjoy being a grandmother?

Enormously. I'm a granny or 'glamma’ as my grandson Jude, 14, calls me. He lives in the UK and he's fab and a very good looking boy. I think we get to be much better grandparents than we were parents. You get another go, but you don't have to take them to the dentist. You know there's a different sort of encouragement. You've got a slight distance – it's not your problem. It's a love that is quite extraordinary. Last year I took Trollied just so I could be in Bristol with him. Mind you, I had to audition three times for the part of Lorraine. And it was worth it. Jude comes and spends a month with me in the summer holidays. He's terribly funny.

How are you finding getting older?

I think we're the luckiest generation ever. We had no war, the full national health, grammar schools, the best free education and good grants to study anything we wanted to. We are such a lucky generation. But I have to admit that my brain doesn't absorb the lines as well as it used to. I have to concentrate on the moment and I can't be nattering away between takes. I've noticed all of the cast are like that.

It sounds as if you have plenty to keep you busy when you are not working?

I love my garden and doing up houses, looking at architectural features and copying them. I've also got so much travelling to do!

Boomers is about long-standing friendships. Who is your longest standing friend?

My Sister DiDI.

Who will Boomers appeal to?

Everyone who watches it.

What would be your epitaph?

Well I guess that’s it for now, folks.

Russ Abbot plays John

Starring in Boomers is seen by many as a long-awaited comeback to primetime television as this is one of the first TV roles you have accepted in a while? I've been very busy doing West End theatre, which I love, but when I saw this script and the cast it was impossible to say no!

Richard describes John as outgoing and more gregarious than he is which makes him fun to write “as he does things I couldn't.” What drew you to the part? It's very funny, very true to life and the script is very good indeed. John is a bit of a jack-the- lad, up for a laugh. He's a retired plumber, self-employed, who had his own company. He and Maureen are very happily married – largely because he does as he is told! He's very settled and happy. His wife is incredibly glamorous – he's very proud of her and they really do understand each other.

How does he get on with her mum? It's more cope with her than get on with her! He can get frustrated, especially if he wants to go fishing and he can't because she's got lots of chores that need doing. He's anything for a quiet life with his mother-in-law, so he looks after her just to keep the peace. But if there's any chance of some fun, he'll be the one trying to organise it.

Do you see anything of yourself in John? Well, we're the same age! I know nothing about plumbing though. I think John is a nice guy and I'd like to think I am too.

How is John finding retirement? It's early retirement for us all – we're just setting off into the terrain and we're getting used to the idea. In some ways the three couples have a love-hate relationship as they're stuck with each other because they're all in the same boat. They tend to invite each other to every event because of that, and everyone goes, regardless of whether they actually want to or not!

How did you get on with the other actors? It's been fantastic. We all get on so well. All through filming there has been lots of joking and banter but also a lot of mutual respect. Being the three guys together is an absolute joy. The writing leaps off the page and we all bounce off each other very naturally. Six characters, all equal, all different – never a dull moment!

How is is working with Stephanie Beacham – she says she has learnt a lot from you over the last few weeks! Stephanie is a wonderful actress with a terrific track record. She is also very glamorous. It is a challenge in a sense. I'm up against a powerful lady who makes her mark - and she's very well suited to her character! If I can tag along and bring the fun out of her, then that's great.

How about the legendary June Whitfield? June is remarkable and her style of acting – she is so experienced and gifted, with wonderful comedy nuances and her character enjoys a little tipple – or three... She's remarkable and we're very fortunate to have her.

Was acting in your family? No – I don't know where it came from, and although I am a bit of a practical joker, I never dreamed that I could make a living out of comedy. I'm the fifth of six sons so we were all constantly vying for attention. My parents Donald and Betty met when my salesman father played cornet in a bluecoat band for a party at the Duke of Westminster's estate in Chester, where my mother was a ladies' maid for the Duke's household.

So when did you start acting? I played drums with a band called The Black Abbots so I guess I got some of the performance gene from my father. We failed to land a recording deal, so we turned to comedy and I created characters close to home like CU Jimmy, the belligerent Scot. My mum was Scottish and whenever we were driving up the motorway in our Ford Prefect to spend a holiday in Falkirk, her accent got stronger and stronger. Once I got the acting bug, I never looked back really. And although I am known for comedy, I have also done straight theatre and drama which I'd love to do more of.

How important is music in the series? Music plays a big part and I can relive some of my youth through the classic tracks in the series. When I was with the Black Abbots in the '70s we had three singles released on the Decca label. Elton John helped us out on the keyboards on one – before he was Elton John! Davey Jones of the Monkees wrote a song for us and his cover version charted.

How have you found getting older? I've had a sensational career and it's very nice when people come up to you and say that your show was part of their growing up and that for them you're a legend. I've never felt

pressurised. I think the the only pressure you feel is the pressure you put on yourself. It's not so much other people you're competing with, it's your last show. You have to strive to be as good as, if not better than, your last show. Although comedy is my business I do take my work incredibly seriously. I do vocal warm-ups and a series of stretches to avoid any damage. I pace myself through the day. I've been married to Trish for coming up to 48 years (I met her backstage at a Black Abbots gig) and we have four children – Erika, Richard, Gary and Christopher - and three grandchildren to keep us busy. I'm really enjoying the grandchildren – especially as you can give them back at the end of the day! And we're a big family, so I look forward to family reunions.

You are one of the last generation of comedic talents to have emerged from the once thriving circuit that included summer season, pantomime and television light entertainment? I think we badly miss people of the experience of somebody like Bernard Delfont. He acted as his own Watch Committee and he made sure that he gave the public clean family entertainment that was skilful, safe and value for money. Not that I don't like strong material. Billy Connolly uses it with such skill and timing and adult humour can be robust without becoming offensive. Of today's generation I think Peter Kay is a funny man and my kids were always nagging me to watch Michael McIntyre and John Bishop, both of whom I enjoy immensely.

What do you do to relax? I still really enjoy playing the drums. I'm not a fisherman like John in the series, but I am a keen golfer and get out onto the golf course whenever I can. My wife and I play together a lot, although she frequently beats me... I'm also a bit of a dab hand at concocting recipes at home. I enjoy all sorts of cuisine. A perfect day off would feature a round of golf, some pottering around in the garden and perhaps a steak au poivre and a glass of good red wine to finish. Come the winter we normally head off to Barbados to escape the cold.

Any downsides to getting older? I am a bit of a worryguts and I find myself stressing about the smallest things. Even after all these years I worry about the child standing too close to the platform edge or whether something I have said will be taken the wrong way. I can't help it. But I don't worry about what is next career-wise although it's good to be back in primetime comedy. I never wanted to go away, but the right vehicle didn't come along until now – and I hope to carry on for a long time yet, both acting and on and off the golf course...

Boomers is all about long-standing friendships. Who is your longest-standing friend? Well, other than my wife Trish, who I've known for almost 50 years, it would be my manager Mike Hughes. We met over 40 years a go and he probably knows me better than almost anyone. We have a great understanding and I trust him implicitly both with my career and as a friend.

Are you forgetful? I'm not great with names. I can remember what happened 20 years ago but not so good on what happened yesterday.

How do you cope with learning lines? Funnily enough that has never been a problem. I think if a script is good then for me the lines come pretty naturally. I probably have a selective memory.

Do you embrace modern technology? Well I think you have to to a certain extent if you want to be part of modern life. There is an awful lot that is good about it – I don't do Twitter, but emails and Skype are great for keeping in touch especially with people in different countries and time zones.

Who do you think Boomers will appeal to? I think it will go across the board. It's witty and relevant but also family entertainment so that you can watch it with your kids or your grandmother and not feel awkward or embarrassed.

What would be your epitaph? Goodbye and thank you. It's been a pleasure entertaining you.

June Whitfield plays Joan

Who do you play in Boomers? I'm playing Stephanie Beacham's mum who's in a wheelchair. It's unclear whether she can get out of it! I think she probably can but rather enjoys being pushed about and mainly by her son-in-law. She has two daughters. It's very odd – she rather likes sparring them off against each other because she's a bit awkward I suppose.

How would you describe Joan? She provides some fun. She's resigned to being old, but thinks that means she should be treated properly by people. And she's managing to remain a bit independent. She's one of those mothers. They worry where she should be and she really couldn't care less. As long as she's somewhere and can lean on them a bit she's happy. I suppose she is somewhat burdensome but she wouldn't think so and she likes to drink – anything. Drinking doesn't seem to make a lot of difference – she just gets more irritating! I imagine she was always difficult. It transpires her husband was a boozer though you only get a passing reference to that. I don't see anything of myself in Joan though.

What drew you to the project? The main thing was the wonderful cast. I was delighted to be part of it. They're all so well known in their own right. And in the pilot it was quite obvious Joan was in the way, not anticipated, arrangements had been made for all the others to meet and Maureen arrives with her mother which is not very helpful and Joan did have some quite sharp things to say. I also thought 'Playing Stephanie Beacham's mum and being in a wheelchair is useful because I won't have to do a lot of standing.'

Had you worked with any of the cast before? I worked with Russ on and funnily enough my daughter worked with him many years ago in one of his TV series. Paula and I both did an episode of the last series of , but not the same one. The cast all know what they're doing and are a pleasure to work with.

You're 88 and still going very strong. Have you ever considered slowing down? I'm lucky enough to work in something that I love doing and not everyone has that privilege. So I can understand people yearning for their retirement. But the sad thing it that unless they have something else of interest to do, and I think it happens perhaps to a lot more men in a way than women, when they retire and think 'Thank goodness'. But if they don't play golf, don't garden, have no other interests, then they end up really frustrated. Like a lot of actors I wonder if every job is my last, but I've been very lucky and work has turned up. For me, work is more fun than fun! So as long as it's offered I'll grab it...

Does work keep you feeling young? Goodness me, no – I feel older every day! Acting does keep you moving and gives you a reason to get out of bed. But as you get older it is even more important to enjoy what you're

doing, and I do. I wouldn't be surprised if that's why I've lived so long – doing lovely work, meeting wonderful people, stops you sitting down and feeling sorry for yourself. Because you know you need to get on with it.

You obviously think it's important to stay active? I would advise everybody not to just sit down and grow old but to start doing something they enjoy. I've taken a personal trainer once a week because I'm dreadful, I don't exercise, I don't walk about an awful lot because my feet hurt, so I thought it was a good idea. It makes you move bits you otherwise might not. We did start walking on the common but the ground is very uneven and I was just picking my way so now we've settled for running up and down the stairs and touching toes and suchlike and I feel a lot better for it. I always find an excuse for not exercising on my own, so once a week a little encouragement is a necessity. My trainer is a lovely young chap and he also gives me a massage to iron out the creases.

How do you find learning lines? My memory is appalling apart from learning lines. I do like time to learn. I could never do a soap, getting the lines the night before and doing it the next day. I might have been able to do that fifty years ago.

What has been your proudest achievement? My daughter Suzy is my proudest moment. And I'm pretty pleased that I'm still working...

Joan has a fractious relationship with her daughters but you are very close to your daughter? I adore her! Absolutely – and I think she's fond of me. She lives half an hour from me with my delightful son-in-law. I'm a step-grandma because she married a man with children, and I'm a great-great aunt.

You've been in so many types of comedy. Do you have to play it differently each time? Lots of people ask me that – I do the same. It's what's around me that changes. Arthur Askey, , not exactly the same but the process is.

Roy Hudd once dubbed you the comic's tart? I have worked with quite a few. Arthur Askey, , , Peter Sellers, , , Julian Clary, ... They were all striving to do their best – and I've always said that one of the reasons I've worked for so long is that I'm no

trouble. Noel Coward is quoted as saying: 'Learn your lines, speak clearly and don't bump into the furniture,' and that has stood me in good stead.

You were married for 45 years until the of your husband Tim Aitchison in 2001. What is the secret of a long and happy marriage? Nowadays, at the first sign of an argument, people leave each other rather than trying to work things out. They are inclined to take the easy way out. I was lucky because I was able to make a living out of what I loved doing. My own mother 'Muff' was a keen amateur actress and would have loved to have made a career out of it, but her father, my grandfather wouldn't hear of it. He said the theatrical profession was full of rogues and vagabonds, so she did a lot of am dram on stage and as a director until almost the end of her life. When she did stop, that hastened the end because she hadn't a lot left to live for and I've always thought I've stopped at the end of every job, but luckily - touch wood - something turns up.

Are you glad you were born when you were? My generation is very lucky. I had it so good when I started my career. There wasn't the pressure of money. In those days the powers that be made decisions quickly. Nowadays there are 95 people making a decision about whether to go with a pilot. I think it was a less stressful time when I started acting. When TV came along it was supposed to give a lot more jobs to a lot more people but that hasn't really happened because understandably directors and producers choose people they know they can rely on. They don't want to take a chance too often.

What advice would you give someone just starting out in comedy? I would say finish your A Levels and take a typing course or have something you can fall back on and know that it's there because jobs don't come that easily. I pity the young because I think it's very different for them and because they see all those reality shows and they think 'I could have a go at that' and it doesn't work out that way.

Would you ever do a reality show? I'm very glad no-one has asked me to go into the jungle dear! I'd be out of there just seeing a bug, never mind eating one! I do love watching Strictly though.

Do you use modern technology? I have an iPad, I'm on email and I have a mobile phone but I have never tweeted. I play on- line scrabble with my son-in-law – it's the most frustrating thing in the world – but I get fed up

with broadband and it frequently crashes. I press buttons but those machines have minds of their own. I like the thought of trying to keep up. For Age UK I've said that I think older people should know how to be online because it won't be many years before that will be the only way of communicating. I think it's wise to be aware of what is going on. But you do have to practice and it is very satisfying when you discover how to do something.

Do you ever feel old age makes people invisible? It's a difficult one because of my profession. I'm quite sure some people do feel that. It's all down to families isn't it. How they're treated. You must all remember to treat your grandparents with a great deal of respect. I'm very lucky because I've always grown up liking the people I've been surrounded by and I get on very will with my own daughter and son-in- law. If families don't get on it must be very tricky.

With old age comes wisdom. What have you learnt over the years? It's the luck of the draw, really. It's your parents, and your genes and your family. Keep your fingers crossed and don't anticipate disaster. I just go along with getting older. The best thing about old age is learning to accept what you've got, what you are and what other people are and not to be too critical. That's something that comes with age and not worrying about wanting people to like you and give approval. My family has always taken precedence over my career and have always been very supportive. I've been delighted at the way things have turned out. In the end, it's all down to luck. Let's hope that Boomers hits the spot...

Paula Wilcox plays Carol

How would you describe Carol? Ostensibly rather quiet and less pushy than the other two, Maureen and Joyce, but she definitely has her own agenda and she usually gets her own way through sheer doggedness. Her lack of scintillating conversation means she can appear shy; when she finally joins in a discussion she often responds to something said 10 minutes before, and that can make her seem very slow-witted. However, she has held down a responsible job for years and her thoughts are original.

How do the couples get on? When two people have lived together as long as these characters have, the intimacy is such that they have a tendency to ignore the niceties. Richard Pinto, the writer, has cleverly

noticed that they speak to each other in a way nobody should ever speak to another person! From the outside this can appear outrageous and incredibly rude (although sometimes very funny). But inside the relationship, they don’t really hear the insults anymore; they often pretty much ignore each other. In her quiet way, Carol has made a bit of a stand and so she and Trevor are actually having relationship counselling. She has got to a point in her life where she’s rather tired of accepting the status quo.

Do you think retirement affects marriages? Apparently, many women in their 60s instigate divorce proceedings, and I think it’s because women generally have more energy and expectations in retirement than some men, who are happier to potter around the house. Somebody once said to my husband: “Marriage is forever but not for lunch!” I know there are couples who live and work together perfectly happily, but for a lot of people it's quite difficult. Trevor's a financial bloke and he's dry as a stick and he really takes things terribly seriously. You can see Carol is more fun loving and she really wants to be a girl, flirt and have fun, and he doesn't get that.

How does the counselling go? They are living separately in the house to rediscover their relationship. Trevor is not deeply engaged in the process at all but he does go along with it. There's a lovely moment where Carol talks to Joyce and Maureen about a fantasy she has, and then shares it with Trevor but it goes right over his head. He has no idea of her yearning for adventure.

What did Carol do for a living? She was originally a typist and worked her way up to being in charge of despatch in a small, family-run business. She has worked with computers since the early days and had become so familiar with the workings of the company over the years that she almost ran the company without the MD being aware of it! They miss her terribly and she often goes back to visit.

How is Carol handling retirement? She has had quite an enjoyable work life and she's probably had fun with male colleagues and been one to go out for a drink at the pub after work. Now she's not working nor is Trevor; they're probably stuck at home a lot and she's very much looking outward for stimulus. She's quite courageous as she's joined a choir, is doing yoga and tai-chi, trying lots of new experiences and getting involved with groups. That's where the idea of therapy has come from - talking to a mix of people who maybe aren't in her age group but are going though similar quests in their lives. So she no longer feels it's odd to try and improve her situation.

So for her life begins at sixty? The others are a bit shocked at times by her attitude. She is up for new things and they find that a little threatening. She's quite a nice person. And blimey, that's hard to play! Bit of a challenge. She really doesn't understand innuendo, it goes right over her head. In fact, since both she and Trevor take remarks quite literally, they are a good match!

Do you identify with Carol at all? I'm quite different from her, but I recognise some of her qualities and weaknesses. There are all sorts of experiences where you're trying to do your best and sometimes you do find yourself the odd one out and I think in our series that's Carol. I think listening is a very important quality of Carol’s; when I’m nervous I tend to go hell for leather talking whilst she actually observes and thinks about what’s being said.

Do you use technology? Yes I do. A lot. I think it’s impossible to live a busy life without being reasonably capable at using various devices and gadgets. I’m quite interested in new technology; I’m fascinated and love using it.

How did you get into acting? When I was a little girl I went to see a panto and decided I wanted to be Cinderella. At school I discovered I was very good at doing different accents and impersonating the teachers; then, aged 14, I went on a school trip to see Henry IV part 1 and was captivated. I wanted to learn everything I could about the theatre and acting. I joined the National Youth Theatre at 17 and the following year I landed my first TV role. I was very determined. I've never wanted to do anything else and since then I've just gone with my heart really. What I'm finding is that as I get older I'm getting to play lots of weird and wonderful characters and I'm really open to new experiences. Put it this way, I've no plans to retire!

Boomers is all about long-standing friendships. Who is your longest standing friend? Probably my school friend Kate, whom I met when we were 10; she became a barrister, which she swears is quite similar to being an actress. Better paid, I'd say!

How does it feel growing older? No idea...

Are you forgetful? No, Er... I don't think so. What was the question again?

How do you cope with learning lines? It's my job. If the script is right, like Boomers, I can't wait to be able to say them. And I want to get them RIGHT!

Would you ever consider cosmetic surgery? Only when it can be done over the phone.

Who will Boomers appeal to? Well, essentially it's about relationships – with a partner, with friends and with family. So if you have any of those in your life, it's for you! It's a very funny series and quite edgy and although the characters are retired, people of all ages will definitely see themselves in the show. Oh my gosh – I do that! Carol's a great character to play. She’s completely feminine and gets her own way by stealth – all flowers and roses, pink and pretty, lightness and spontaneity, determined to keep up with the more sophisticated Joyce and Maureen, and that is great fun. The other two are really confident and sassy, out there and getting on with stuff and I think Carol feels quite lucky to be part of the gang whilst keeping a sense of self. Boomers is very clever writing, a real hoot and I hope people will respond to that.

James Smith plays Trevor

How would you describe Trevor? He's a brainy clever clogs and everybody takes the mickey out of him at every opportunity. He's sensible and an expert on lots of things. Trevor is one of life's saints, one of those people who will be there for everybody. He's on various committees and is a very conventional creature, a shy hobbit who likes things just so. He's a good organiser, financially on solid ground, a nice house, safe pension, frugal and sensible. He doesn't stray outside his comfort zone and is never lost for words. Trevor doesn't talk about any emotional issues at all, except with Carol. He feels it's not right. All in all he is jolly good company.

What drew you to the script? We talked quite a lot about the rhythm of the writing which is terrific. I was also thrilled to hear that I would be working with Russ Abbot. I have always loved his geniality and hoped some

of that would rub off on me. Timing is just innate to him, he knows all about that and I'm enjoying learning from him.

Tell us about the baby boomers? Nowadays some people retire in their mid fifties and we are the generation who are really lucky as we have a lot of leisure time. We haven't been to war or seen any of those horrors, we've had a good life throughout the '50s and the '60s with the very best music – Bill Hailey, Bee Bop, Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Beatles, The Stones... Russ sings Glad All Over at one point! Music livens them all up.

Do you think you will ever retire? Unlikely! I know an actor in Whitstable who retired at 68 because he was hacked off with the business. Now his knees and hips have gone. You often hear about people having heart attacks soon after they give up work. I think it's better not to stop but to keep busy. It's very difficult to imagine two or five years ahead, although we know our time is running out more quickly than the next generation. We don't know if we'll get alzheimer's or need two hip replacements or get dementia – but at the moment we're all fine and having a lot of fun.

Do you identify with the show? The writing about arguing about what to do with mum is incredibly accurately observed. But Richard has extracted a comic version of what can be quite vicious in real life, and the extraordinary joy is that in the middle of all this you have June Whitfield playing the mother, who's a generation older than all of us. Bob Hope once said “Who wants to be 100? Someone who's 99!” You want whatever you've been given but hopefully retaining all your marbles. We're certainly not in the last chance saloon.

Do you find it harder to remember lines? The lines are a little harder to remember, so I just become the character. For me there's a great joy in being in my sixties. I have a freedom pass and so far it has been the best decade of my life!

That's wonderful! Why is that? I have three children and nine grandchildren. I was in a relationship for 30 years and my lady died in 1998. I spent 13 years alone and then about three or four years ago I met a new lady who's English but lives in France. So for me, life really did begin again at sixty...

How do you fill your time when you are not working? I play Bridge in and in Provence. I've been playing drums for 40+ years (something I have in common with Russ) and I have been lucky enough to find a quartet in France who needed a drummer. My new lady has a huge garden which I am thoroughly enjoying looking after and I also ride, swim and play tennis.

What do you do to unwind at the end of a long day's filming? Nothing. There isn't enough time. I simply answer the post, tend to emails and start learning the following day's lines.

Boomers is all about long-standing friendships. Who is your longest standing friend? Alas, all my close friends from childhood were dead by their mid-thirties, but I have a very close relationship with a half uncle of my own age who feels more like a brother. He has been there for me throughout my life and is my closest friend.

How does it feel growing older? Since, at the moment, I am enjoying good health physically and I believe mentally, I don't have a problem with it.

Are you forgetful? I can't remember.

Did your parents encourage you to go into acting? No. I fact I was shoehorned into their profession – medicine.

Do you manage to see your children and grandchildren a lot? No. We are all scattered here and there so thank goodness for emails, texts and Skype.

Do you embrace modern technology? Yes, hurrah for it.

Who will Boomers appeal to? I'm really looking forward to finding out.

What would be your epitaph? All I ever wanted was to enter my house justified.

“BOOMERS” Biographies

Alison Steadman (Joyce)

Alison Steadman trained at the East 15 Acting School. She made her professional stage debut in 1968 at Lincoln's Theatre Royal where her first role was the seductive schoolgirl 'Sandy' in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. She went on to play 'Candice Marie' in Nuts In May and created the role of the monstrous 'Beverly' in Abigail's Party winning the award and which she reprised with the original cast on television. Both were directed by Mike Leigh.

Television work includes Fat Friends, Grumpy Old Women, Stressed Eric, Let Them Eat Cake, The Singing Detective, No Bananas, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Adrian Mole: The CappuccinoYears, The Missing Postman and the role of 'Mrs Bennet' in Pride and Prejudice. She also starred in Gone to the Dogs and Gone to Seed as well as in Hat Trick's The Worst Week of My Life. More recently she appeared in Gavin & Stacey, Fanny Hill, the BAFTA winning Newshounds and The Syndicate.

Film appearances include Shirley Valentine, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Confetti, Clockwise, P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang, Wilt, A Private Function, Life Is Sweet, Topsy Turvy and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers.

Alison won the Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as 'Mari' in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice and also appeared in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Entertaining Mr Sloane and Alan Bennett's Kafka's Dick at The Royal Court, the Theatre Royal, the Old Vic, the Hampstead Theatre, the Nottingham Playhouse, the Everyman Liverpool and the National Theatre. She also starred in Tartuffe and played 'Madame Arcati' in a revival of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.

Alison was awarded an OBE in the 2000 New Year's Honours.

Philip Jackson (Alan)

Philip Jackson started acting while studying Drama and German at the University of Bristol. He is probably best known to television audiences for playing 'Chief Inspector Japp' in Poirot

and as 'Abbot Hugo' in the cult series Robin of Sherwood. His many other television appearances include , Foyle's War, Midsomer Murders, Heartbeat, : The Long Walk to Finchley, Margaret, Crooked House, Fanny Hill, Place of Execution, Funland, Chekhov; Comedy Shorts - The Proposal, Pete Versus Life, Cuckoo, Ragged, Home Time and Raised by Wolves by Caitlin Moran which will be seen shortly as a six part series on .

Philip has appeared in a number of films including Scum, Paul McCartney's Give My Regards to Broad Street, Brassed Off, Mike Bassett: England Manager, Grow Your Own, My Week with Marilyn, Bad Behaviour, High Hopes, A Little Trip to Heaven and the upcoming Believe, Patrick's Day and Giuseppe Tornatore's The Best Offer.

His stage work includes 'Pozzo' in 's at the Queen's Theatre and 'Willy Loman' in Death of a Salesman at the West Playhouse. Other leading roles include King Lear, Ice Cream and Rat in the Skull at the Royal Court Theatre, the latter also at the Public Theatre, New York. He appeared as 'Bottom' in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the RSC.

Phillip was nominated for a Screen Actors' Guild Award for his role in Little Voice and appeared in the legendary music video of A-Ha's Take On Me. He has also recorded many radio productions including playing 'Jaz Milvane' in the long-running Ed Reardon's Week (BBC R4) and last year he played 'Badger' in a new production of The Wind in the Willows which featured live music played by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and composed by Neil Brand.

Stephanie Beacham (Maureen)

Stephanie Beacham is currently celebrating fifty years in show business. She originally wanted to teach deaf children to dance, went to to study mime, got chucked out of her au pair job there, came back to England and went to visit a boyfriend who was at the Liverpool Everyman. She auditioned with a speech of Juliet's remembered from O' Level English and fell into acting. After a year in Liverpool, she went to RADA. She has never looked back.

Stephanie first appeared on British television in the late 1960s in series such as The Saint, Callan and UFO and starred in several feature films including The Games directed by Michael

Winner and Tam Lin directed by Roddy McDowall as well as Winner's The Nightcomers opposite . She also starred in a number of horror films including Hammer Films' Dracula AD 1972 alongside .

Stephanie became a household name in the early eighties starring in the BBC series Tenko and in the ITV drama series Connie. She went on to land the role of the devious matriarch 'Sable Colby' in the American prime-time series The Colbys opposite and was invited to reprise the role in the final season of Dynasty, starring opposite an equally glamorous in a season long 'battle of the bitches.'

Roles in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase and the title role in her own sitcom in America called Sister Kate followed and Stephanie had a recurring role in the popular teen drama Beverly Hills 90201. More recently she has had high profile roles in Bad Girls as 'Phyllida Oswyn' and as 'Martha Fraser' in . She went on to compete in , appeared as store manager 'Lorraine Chain' in Sky 1's sitcom Trollied and she played Pauline Collins' sister 'Aunty Pam' in Sky Living's Mount Pleasant.

Stephanie has worked with Ian McKellen at the National Theatre and with Jeremy Irons for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Theatre roles she has particularly enjoyed include 'Maria Callas' in Master Class (Theatre Royal Bath), 'Elizabeth I' in Elizabeth Rex (Birmingham Rep) and the premiere of London Cuckolds (Royal Court) as well as Harold Pinter's Tea Party and The Basement with Donald Pleasence directed by Pinter at the Duchess Theatre. On Broadway, Stephanie had fun playing 'Mrs Cheveley' in Sir Peter Hall's production of An Ideal Husband which was also taken to . In Los Angeles she played opposite Rupert Everett in Noel Coward's The Vortex. She toured the UK for Sir Peter Hall in Noel Coward's Hay Fever. For the London Shakespeare Theatre she played Olivia in a tour that included Iraq, Kathmandu and Kuwait.

Russ Abbot (John)

As a young drummer Russ joined Adam and the Apples, The Buccaneers, Johnny Gibson & The D Notes and then The Black Abbots. He worked part time backstage at the Royalty Theatre Chester where, under the wing of Dennis Critchley, Russ learnt the craft of comedy. The band joined forces with manager Mike Hughes and won TV's Opportunity Knocks. Over the next decade they toured and released records becoming one of Britain's top acts. Russ occasionally appeared without The Black Abbots in such TV programmes as Who Do You Do,

What's On Next and The Comedians as Russ Roberts.

But it was in 1980 when Russ went solo that his career really took off. He joined the gang of The Variety Madhouse but Freddie only stuck around for one series so the show was reborn and renamed Russ Abbot's Madhouse. It was here that his zany and sometimes manic characters were paraded to become part of Saturday night's viewing. In 1986 Russ moved to the BBC where The Russ Abbot Show remained until 1991. Throughout the 80s Russ the all-round entertainer attracted millions of TV viewers, won countless awards, released many hit records and sold-out tours, summer seasons and pantomimes.

In 1993 Russ appeared in his first straight acting role alongside Michael Williams in the bittersweet comedy drama September Song. Since then he has moved towards more demanding acting parts in drama and comedy including Shakespeare. Theatre work has taken preference to TV, mainly in the form of musicals. But Russ still appears regularly on television and he resurrected his Madhouse persona for five series of The Russ Abbot Show for BBC Radio 2 in the late 1990s.

In 2008 Russ joined the cast of Last of the Summer Wine as Luther 'Hobbo' Hobdyke. He also guest starred in The Sarah Jane Adventures. The following year Russ appeared in an episode of Casualty and in Harry Hill's TV Burp parodying the character he played there.

In 2009, when fell ill during the original run of 's West End revival of Oliver! Russ stepped into the role of 'Fagin' and reprised the role after left the show in June 2010.

June Whitfield (Joan)

With a career spanning some seven decades, June Whitfield is one of Britain's leading comedy actresses. She trained at RADA and in 1953 joined one of the most famous British radio series with Jimmy Edwards and in which she created the classic character 'Eth' in the notorious family The Glums. Other radio includes The News Huddlines, co-starring with Roy Hudd and Chris Emmett. This became the longest running light entertainment comedy series performed before a live audience. In 1993 she created the role of 's for the first time on radio in Murder At The Vicarage and went on to complete twelve Miss Marple stories. In 2012 June featured in four specially commissioned dramas for BBC Radio 4 entitled A Month Of June.

In television she has worked with most of of the UK's top comedians including Benny Hill, Frankie Howerd, Dick Emery, and Tony Hancock, two long-running series with , Happy Ever After and which ended in 1987 and, more recently, two series of All Rise With Julian Clary. In 1992 came 'Mother' in Absolutely Fabulous for BBC One. This immensely successful series written by and starring along with Joanna Lumley has been screened worldwide and won numerous awards. Three more series followed.

Television dramas include Common As Muck with Edward Woodward, Family Money with Claire Bloom, Tom Jones (a character called Mrs Whitfield!) and Jude the Obscure as 'Aunt Drusilla' with Kate Winslet and Christopher Eccleston, The Last of the Blonde Bombshells with Judi Dench and Ian Holm, Jonathan Creek, Marple, MI High, New Tricks, Last of the Summer Wine and Green Green Grass, all for the BBC, and Harley Street, Coronation Street and Midsomer Murders for ITV.

Theatre roles have included A Bedful of Foreigners at the Victoria Palace, Not Now Darling and Over My Dead Body at the Savoy and seasons at Chichester in An Ideal Husband and Ring Around The Moon. She has appeared in musicals, revue and pantomime – her last in 1994 as 'Fairy Godmother' in Cinderella at Wimbledon with Rolf Harris.

Her autobiography ...and June Whitfield was published in 2000. She was honoured with an OBE in 1985 and a CBE in 1998.

Paula Wilcox (Carol)

Paula Wilcox first came to public attention after she joined the National Youth Theatre at the age of seventeen and was offered the part of 'Beryl' in The Lovers, a Granada sitcom for ITV written by and co-starring . A second series and a feature film followed. From then on, Paula worked extensively in television and was delighted to be offered the starring role of 'Chrissie' in opposite Richard O'Sullivan. The series ran for three years and she also starred in the feature film of the same name. Paula went on to star in Miss Jones and Son and in other television series such as The Bright Side and Life After Birth, both for Channel 4. Fiddler's Three, opposite , followed for ITV. Later she appeared in 's Blue Heaven, in several series of The Queen's Nose and another series for children, Smokescreen.

More recently, her television work has included 'Lilian' in the cult series The Smoking Room, a year in Emmerdale as 'Hilary Potts' and the new series of Rock and Chips (the prequel to ) playing Del Boy's Gran, 'Violet'. She has made guest appearances in Jonathan Creek, Footballers' Wives, Green Green Grass, , Casualty, Doctors, Moving On, A Touch of Frost and Blue Murder. Paula has just finished filming her fourth season as the quirky 'Pauline Johnson in Mount Pleasant for Sky Living. It will air in the autumn of 2014.

Despite being so busy with television commitments, Paula has also worked extensively in the theatre where her favourite roles have included 'Miss Havisham' in Great Expectations (Vaudeville Theatre), Canary (Liverpool Everyman, Hampstead Theatre), Dreams of Violence (Soho Theatre), La Cage Aux Folles (Playhouse Theatre), Shirley Valentine (Duke of York's), 'The Queen' in The Queen and I (Vaudeville Theatre), 'Florence' in The Female Odd Couple (Apollo Theatre) and, most recently, 'Lil' in Kindertransport, touring the country in Diane Samuel's wonderful account of one woman's survival of the Holocaust.

James Smith (Trevor)

James Smith trained at LAMDA where he won the Spotlight Prize and Shakespeare Cup. He is perhaps best known to television audiences for his work as Senior Advisor 'Glenn Cullen' in The Thick of It and as 'Clive' in Grandma's House.

Early theatre engagements led James to be invited to form the first company at The Crucible Theatre Sheffield in 1971, becoming the first actor to speak on that stage. He was the last actor to be auditioned by Laurence Olivier and joined the National Theatre at the Old Vic. He stayed for a further season under Peter Hall and in 1975 became a founder member of Shared Experience, helping to create their first success, An Arabian Night. He played major roles in a nationwide tour of Charles Dickens' Bleak House culminating in a season at The Royal Court. Subsequent theatre work includes seasons at The Haymarket Leicester, The Orange Tree, The Bush, The Young Vic and The Royal Court. He has also been a member of The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Royal Exchange Theatre and he has made further returns to The National Theatre, most recently in Morning Becomes Electra.

Extensive television work includes Ego Hugo, Casualty, Heartbeat, Kavanagh QC, Lovejoy, , Inspector Morse, Rosemary & Thyme and Silent Witness. Films include Very Like a Whale, The Parole Officer, Magicians, In the Loop and The Iron Lady.