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Felicity Kendal

Strictly is a dream come true

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24/9/10 12:54:10 24.09.2010 11:49 Rival Colour LTD

❤❤H eart ❤ ❤ to Heart

There’s already one Strictly Come Dancing competitor emerging with that extra special X factor – and that’s Felicity Kendal

By Alison James ever mind your leggy pop singers, pretty ex-soap stars and that ‘wild card’ former MP – our money’s on actress Felicity Kendal to become the dancing queen of Strictly 2010. Trim and toned in sparkly Lycra, she looks amazing – surely the most glamorous grandma ever – but it’s more than that. She looks so darned happy to be there.

“I just love it. I’ve watched Strictly nearly every year and am a complete groupie!” Felicity smiles. “I’m loving the dancing, too, especially the Latin. Although I danced in a play and danced in a film, I’ve never danced properly before and I always wanted to learn. It’s so thrilling that now I am.

“I used to practise at the barre in a dance studio when I was younger which meant doing exercises, but that’s not dancing, it’s just getting your body into the right position. It’s a completely different thing – very slow and static. In this competition, it’s the speed you’ve got to get.

“I’m so pleased to have Vincent Simone as my partner. If he can’t teach me to dance, no one can.

There are so many tricky things to learn. You have to be strong but supple, flexible but firm. I can’t say yet whether I’ll match up to his previous partnerships because every combination is different. Everyone has a different chemistry when they’re on the dance floor together, which is

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‘Everyone has a different chemistry when they’re on the dance floor together, which is what makes Strictly such an interesting show’

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y star chat y

Strictly is a dream come true what makes Strictly such an interesting show each year.”

The chemistry between Felicity (64) and Vincent (31) seems to be bubbling away thus far. He may be half her age but they’re a good ‘fit’ for each other and move together well.

Plus, paparazzi pictures have shown them hugging goodbye after a hard day’s rehearsal.

Fellow competitor Ann Widdecombe certainly thinks Felicity will go far.

“I’m tipping Felicity,” says Ann (63). “And I’ll tell you why.

When we’re all sitting there gasping with a cup of coffee and trying to recover, Felicity practises solidly. She just never stops dancing. She practises every move in front of the mirror. That is obviously how she’s finessed her acting – she’s hugely meticulous. I think you’re going to see a lot of Felicity.”

The betting odds on who’ll wear the Strictly crown this

December seem to confirm Ann’s view. When the celebrity contestants were announced in August, Felicity was quoted as 25-to-1, yet now she’s down to a very respectable 10-to-1. Typically modest, but determined to do her best, Felicity doesn’t think she’ll win.

“I think I’m the opposite of being desperate to win,” she explains. “You probably have to be much younger to get through this as it’s a pretty strong schedule. I don’t think I should win – someone younger and fitter should, as they’ll be a better dancer than me and I strongly feel that the best dancer should win.”

Whatever happens, Felicity’s family will be her staunchest Strictly supporters. She lives in London with American theatre director Michael Rudman, the man she calls her boyfriend, although he was her second husband until 1991. Their eight-year marriage ended when she embarked on a relationship with playwright Tom Stoppard, but seven years later she went back to Rudman with whom she has a grown-up son, Jacob.

Felicity is also mother to Charley, the son of her first

‘If Vincent can’t teach me to dance, no one can’ marriage to actor Drewe Henley which ended in 1979. It’s thanks to Charley and his wife, Anna, that Felicity is a grandmother twice over to two girls – a role she clearly relishes. “The wonderful thing about being a grandmother is that you get all of the good things and none of the bad,” she said in a recent interview. “You say, ‘Oh can I take them? What do you want me to do with them?’

PICS: BRIaN aRIS;BBC

Felicity shares a secret Psst… She has a tattoo! “It’s a star and it’s on my foot,” she confesses. “I had it done quite recently. The thing is, I now know which bits won’t go too wrinkly because they’ve already gone! You know where there’s a place left to put tattoos.”

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Beauty

AWARDS

Daily skincare BeST CLeaNSeR

45 per cent of Yours readers are happy with their appearance, embracing lines and wrinkles Yours Beauty Survey 2010

BeST TONeR

BeST CLeaNSeR

1st Liz earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser (£13/100ml, plus two muslin cloths) “I loved the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser; it removed all traces of make-up and left my skin in tip-top condition.”

Jan Wilson 2nd Boots No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser (£9.25/200ml) 3rd Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser (£3.99/75ml)

BeST TONeR 1st L’Oréal Paris age Perfect Refreshing Toner (£4.99/200ml) “The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Refreshing Toner felt lovely on my skin – I now use it every day without fail.” Gill Ball 2nd Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner (£23/125ml) 3rd Simple Kind to Skin Facial Toner (£2.93/200ml)

The stars you admire the most…

Helen Mirren Twiggy Joanna Lumley Judi Dench Felicity Kendal

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BeST faCe SCRUB 1st Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant (£37.40/75ml) “I felt like I was giving myself a mini facial when I used the Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant. A luxurious product worth splashing out on!”

Jan Wilson 2nd Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator (£12.25/70ml) 3rd Boots Skin Clear Daily Face Wash (£2.99/150ml)

BeST faCe SCRUB

BeST DaY CReaM 1st aldi Lacura Q10 anti-Wrinkle Day Cream (£1.99/50ml) “The Aldi Lacura Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Day Cream is an unbeatable product! It’s cheap, easily absorbed and left my skin feeling nourished.” Shirley Collins 2nd Olay Definity Colour Enhancer Anti-Ageing Moisturiser (£26.99/50ml) 3rd Avon Anew Ultimate Age Repair Day Cream (£22/50ml)

BeST NiGHT CReaM 1st Olay Definity Night Cream (£19.50/50ml) “My skin felt silky smooth after using the Olay Definity Night Cream. It also gave my cheeks a nice rosy glow.” Lorna Hill 2nd L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Reinforcing Rich Night Cream (£12.99/50ml) 3rd Aldi Lacura Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream (£1.99/50ml)

BeST NiGHT CReaM

32 per cent of Yours readers spend less than £10 a month on beauty; 3 per cent spend more than £50!

Yours Beauty Survey 2010

BeST DaY CReaM

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12 great knits… f Cosy up for autumn at a bargain price

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PHOTOGRaPHY: RUTH JENkINSON; HaIR aNd MakE-UP: HaNaN TOUHaMI; STYlING: daNIEllE ElMES aNd aSSISTaNT STYlING: NaTalIE NIcOlaOU

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1 Pink V-neck cable sweater (style: W10M109/085), from £18, sizes 12-34, Marisota.

2 Green tassel-edged cardigan, £20, sizes 8-18, Soon at Matalan.

3 chunky-knit double-breasted military cardigan, £16, sizes 10-22, Store Twenty One.

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Our lovely model Liz wears a cream waterfall-hem sweater, £25, sizes 6-22, Next; jeans, £32, sizes 10-18, Wallis; earrings, £4, necklace, £15, bracelets, £12.50, all Dorothy Perkins.

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… for under £30!

ce

Style notes

with these great knits By Jade Pickering 5

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5 Polka-dot appliqué sweater (style: aF/3055), £25, sizes 6-22, Next.

6 Roll-neck hook-fasten detail jumper (style: W10BM08/063), £16, sizes 12-24, Bonmarché.

7 Green frill-edge cardigan (style: kB212OE), from £30, sizes 12-32, Joanna Hope at Marisota.

8 cerise cardigan (style: T38/ 08996/2713a), £22, sizes 8-22, Marks and Spencer.

9 coral dip-dye sweater with matching scarf (style: W10BM08/060), £18, sizes 12-24, Bonmarché.

10 lavender/grey stripe cardigan (style: 0540103200), £30, sizes 8-20, Mantaray at debenhams.

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11 Soft grey-tie detail sleeveless cardigan, £18, sizes 8-18, Soon at Matalan.

12 Grey flecked sleeveless cardigan (style: 256747003), £28, sizes S-l, Wallis.

StockiStS: Bonmarché 01924 700100; Debenhams 0845 561 6161 www.debenhams.com; Dorothy Perkins 01227 844444 www.dorothyperkins.com; Marisota 0871 231 2000; Marks and Spencer 0845 302 1234 www.marksandspencer. com; Matalan 0845 330 3330; Next 0844 844 8939; Store Twenty One 0121 705 8286 www.storetwentyone.co.uk; Wallis 0844 984 0266 www.wallis-fashion.com; D Details correct at time of going to press YOURS

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Ask us anything… about retirement income There are practical ways to squeeze the most out of your pension – before and after retirement. Sarah Jagger rounds up the experts’ top pension-boosting tips

7

ways to...

boost your pension

1Invest in property

Colin Jackson, Director at Baronworth Investment Services, says: “People in their 50s who have a decent income, with something over at the end of each month and a good credit rating, should use the spare cash to take out a larger mortgage, rather than adding to pension premiums. This will enable you to buy as big a property as possible with the intention of down-sizing on retirement. Unless the regulations change, the proceeds of the sale would not be liable for tax. Any equity left can be invested as you wish, so you’re not restricted to the purchase of an annuity.”

the most of your pension 2 Make

Boo Prabhaker, spokesperson at the Department of Work & Pensions, says: “If you have gaps in your work record, you may be able to buy back some ‘years’ to boost your pension 64

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cash. Call the National Insurance Helpline 0845 915 5996 for advice. Just because you reach state pension age, it doesn’t mean you have to start taking your pension immediately.

Waiting a year could mean a cash lump sum with around 2.5% interest. Direct.gov.uk has information on pension deferrals. If you do decide to work longer, you won’t pay any National Insurance and you might also pay less tax on what you earn. Call the free Pension Tracing Service on 0845 600 2537 to find forgotten pensions.”

3

Shop around for your annuity

Andrew Hagger at financial products comparison site moneynet.co.uk, says: “One of the most important parts of the pension process comes when you use your accrued pension pot to purchase an annuity.

‘Once you select your annuity, your level of income is set for life’

Unfortunately many people just sign up for the annuity offered by their pension provider rather than shopping around for the best deal. Annuity rates vary between providers and are updated in some cases on a daily basis. Once you select your annuity, your level of income is set for life and with life expectancy levels rising, an extra £50 or £100 per month for as long as you live is certainly something worth shopping around for.”

independent financial advice 4 Seek

Karen Barrett, chief executive of unbiased.co.uk, says: “When it comes to extremely complex financial areas like pensions, one of the most valuable steps you can take is seeking professional advice from a qualified independent financial adviser (IFA). An IFA will work directly with you to choose the right pension and retirement plan for your individual circumstances.

Visit www.unbiased.co.uk to carry out a free and confidential search for a local adviser who specialises in pension planning.”

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know

Did you

KnOW?

Means-tested state pensions were first awarded on January 1, 1909, paying between 10p and 25p per week...

D Yours has joined forces with Key Retirement Solutions to help you through the minefield of retirement finance. For more information on equity release, best-value annuity products, long-term care plans, home and travel insurance call free on 0800 915 4710 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or visit www.yours.co.uk/equity

associated with older plans, and there may be steep penalties for cancelling or transferring them. If so, instead of increasing contributions to this plan you could direct additional payments into a different one with lower charges. Providing the fund performs reasonably, this can make a difference of several thousand pounds to the sum eventually available at retirement.”

income in later years 7Generating

5Reduce the risk

Rebekah Kearey, director at Roundhill Financial Management, says: “You want to make sure your pension fund is as large as possible as you approach retirement. However you don’t want the volatile stockmarket to lurch against you, forcing the value of your pension fund down just when you want to convert it to produce retirement income. So, switch into less volatile funds in the few years before you retire. There is a risk you’ll lose potential for growth if the market rises, but this risk is worth taking in the last years

before you draw the pension.

Ask your IFA for help with this if you use one, otherwise you can usually instruct the pension provider direct.”

those charges 6Check

Francis Klonowski, principal of IFA firm Klonowski & Co, says: “We tend to judge our pension fund by its performance, but that performance can so easily be eroded by annual fees.

Nowadays you shouldn’t have to pay more than 1% per annum on your pension fund. Of course the higher charges are usually

Turn the page for more advice YOURS

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PICS: GETTY ImAGES

Shop around on the open market for the best annuity deal

Joss Harwood, Director at Eldon Financial Planning Limited, says: “In later life you may need to replace a deceased partner’s income, or you may face care costs, or both.

Generating additional income at this stage is a challenge, so you need to look at the bigger financial picture. Start by reviewing savings to seek higher interest, paid monthly and use cash ISAs where possible. Then review investments to squeeze more tax-efficient income from your portfolio. Check if you are entitled to any state benefits such as pension credit. Examine your budget – can you cut back at all? Perhaps you could downsize, or sell up and rent instead. Also consider equity release products to boost your retirement income.”

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Sharing the

Caring Where Yours brings the caring community together with information and support

Welcome...

When I included a letter from a lady who said she felt frustrated as all the carers I feature seem to lead happy lives, yet her life was anything but, it sparked much response.

Here, Barbara Sparkes tells how her life changed when she became a carer…

Rosie Sandall, Reader Care Editor

‘I have to speak out on carers’ behalf’ arbara Sparkes loved her job as a support worker at a Somerset college, and she and her partner were planning a retirement where they could travel and see the world.

Sadly for Barbara, life hasn’t turned out as she had planned.

Two years ago she gave up work to become a full-time carer to her mum, Ida (82) and she’s now living in an isolated village in Somerset, with just £17 a month income.

Barbara (59) says she’s put her whole life on hold to care for her mum and, while she wouldn’t have it any other way, Barbara says that caring often means “giving up an awful lot”.

In Barbara’s case, becoming a carer meant giving up the job she loved supporting disabled students, leaving her partner, Mick (48), at home in Bridgwater and moving back into her childhood bedroom at her widowed mum’s home in a remote village near Yeovil.

The village has no shop or pub and there are just two buses a week into Yeovil so, as Barbara doesn’t drive, and she can’t leave her mum anyway, she’s virtually cut off.

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Barbara has given up a huge amount to care for her mum

“Saying all this makes me feel like I’m whingeing, but I’m not,” says Barbara. “Mum’s been a widow for more than 30 years and she loves her home in the countryside. As soon as she was taken ill two years ago, the day after Mick and I arrived in India for a holiday, we flew straight back and I knew she would need my care.

‘Saying all this makes me feel like I’m whingeing, but I’m not’ “When I read the letter from a lady who said her life as a carer was very stressful, I knew I had to speak out on behalf of those of us carers who feel they’re alone and sometimes regret how life has turned out for them.

They are not alone, as many of us feel stressed by our situations.”

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Rosie’s news round-up

… from Carers in Touch member Maggie Stevens from Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. So many of you contacted her after I wrote about how bereft she felt after the death of her Star letter beloved husband. “Please thank all the I had to write to applaud kind Yours readers who wrote to me. liz Clay ton (issue 094) Their letters have helped me realise I’m for outl ining the thoughts not alone,” she says. of many parents of adult special needs Help for sufferers you ngsters. My son (28) a new member of the Yours Carers has severe learning in Touch group is looking after her diffi cult ies. While I love husband who suffers from Myasthenia him unc onditionally, gravis. She says the condition is rarely cari ng is tiring and social written about so there’s little information life all forg otten. Many available. Myasthenia gravis is an care rs are too worn out auto-immune disease characterised with cari ng to have the by severe muscle weakness. For ene rgy to figh t for help, advice and support, contact the MG so than k you liz. association’s free helpline on 0800 Hazel Cooper, by email 919922 or visit www.mga-charity.org D Please send any news, stories, letters or items for Rosie’s news round-up to the address below Fortunately for Barbara, Mick has been very understanding and he visits her at weekends.

But Barbara misses seeing her nine grandchildren on a regular basis and, financially, she’s much worse off.

“I did claim Carer’s Allowance but that was then deducted from the benefits and support that Mum received, so I stopped claiming. Anyway, I’d lose it when I claim my State Pension,” says Barbara. “I get £17 a month from the private pension I paid into when I was working.

“Mum buys the food and pays the rent, so it’s just like being a teenager at home again.”

Having access to the internet

means that at least groceries can be delivered, and Barbara spends a lot of time making cakes and handicrafts to give to friends as Christmas presents. Often, the only visitor Ida and Barbara see during the week is the district nurse.

“Mum can be difficult and she says the same thing over and over again. But we are surrounded by fields and we have the birds for company. She still knows me and the house has many happy childhood memories,” says Barbara. “I hope that by speaking out, people may realise just how dramatically and suddenly life can change when you become a carer.”

D Rosie says: I know from the letters I receive that many readers will understand just how Barbara feels. Many of you have written to tell me just how hard caring 24 hours a day can be – but that you’re unable to share those feelings with your families for fear of being regarded a failure. I hope Barbara’s story will make you realise you’re not alone.

If you’re feeling stressed, I’d urge you to contact Carers direct on 0808 802 020 for your local carers’ centre, where you’ll find help and support. You could also join the Yours Carers in Touch scheme (see page 113). Many carers regard Carers in Touch as a lifeline – where they can share their true feelings with people who understand.

Carer of the fortnight ‘Verity is a marvellous carer’ Carer Verity Head (64) has looked after her husband Tony (74) for many years. Tony is housebound due to many health problems, and Verity has always Tony says put his needs first.

Verity’s a star Now, however, Verity, who lives with Tony in llandaff, South Wales, is facing her own health problems as she’s recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tony says: “Verity is a marvellous carer and she looks after me all day, every day. Now she’s facing treatment herself I’ll be able to give her moral support – but that’s all.”

Verity says she’s glad she has a supportive son, Jonathan, and daughter, Joy, who both live nearby to help share Tony’s care while she is ill herself.

D do you know a very special carer?

Please write to Carer of the Fortnight at the address below.

D Congratulations, Verity – and good luck with your treatment. Our Carer of the Fortnight receives a bunches. co.uk bouquet from the Platinum range with zinc vase and milk chocolates worth £39.99. To place an order, call 0800 626 249 or visit www. bunches.co.uk

How to get in touch Write to: Rosie Sandall, Reader Care Editor, Yours, Media House, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6EA Email: rosemary.sandall@ bauermedia.co.uk

Turn the page for more on our Carers in Touch scheme YOURS

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PICS: JOHN SaNdall

Good to hear…

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y short story y ncredulously, I asked my six-year-old grandson, Jack: “You’re going to do WHAT tomorrow?”

“I just told you, Granddad.

Mrs Roberts is going to teach us to knit. And we need to take some wool,” he replied anxiously. I’d probably spoken more sharply than usual, but I’d spent most of my life in the army and as far as I was concerned knitting was certainly not for boys. Carpentry or growing vegetables would be more appropriate, in my view.

I took care of Jack after school while Sally, my daughter, was still at work. She had been widowed when Jack was a baby and although she was a great mum, I sometimes worried that she wasn’t making more of a man of him. Now there was this business of knitting.

“Who’s Mrs Roberts?” I asked.

“Oh Granddad, she’s really nice and ever-so old. Her face is like my

I

Granddad casts on

By Susan Payne

Jack’s granddad thinks boys should be boys pencils and she’s got stripey hair.”

I couldn’t picture the stripey hair but I understood about the pencils.

Last year I had bought Jack some smiley-faced pencils for his Christmas stocking because I knew he’d love them. He hadn’t done too much smiling since Mary, my wife, passed away last summer; he and his granny had always had a special bond.

Now he was jumping up and down with impatience. “Granddad, I need some wool for to-mo-rrow!” he exclaimed.

I began to be worried as it was too late for Sally or me to go into town to buy wool for him to take to school. ‘Drat Mrs Roberts’, I

thought to myself. Aloud, I said: “Wait until your mum comes home and we’ll ask her about the wool.”

I sat Jack down in front of the TV with his favourite comic and started preparing his tea. Every five minutes he enquired: “When will Mummy be home? Will she be home soon, Granddad?”

At last, we heard Sally’s car pull in to the drive. Jack rushed to the front door. “Mummy, I need wool for tomorrow. Please! Please!” he begged as he let her in.

“Hello, love,” she replied giving him a hug. “Sorry I’m late, Dad – had to finish a rush job.”

“Don’t you worry. Come and have a cup of tea. Jack and I have

already had ours and some baked beans on toast.” Sally looked so tired and so much like her mother that I felt a lump in my throat.

“The beans were really good – but, Mummy,” interrupted Jack, “I have something really important to tell you. I MUST have some wool for school tomorrow.”

“The shops will all be shut by now, love,” said Sally.

“Then I won’t learn to knit,” Jack looked dejected. “And everyone else will, even Ryan.”

(Ryan is his best friend, but also chief rival.)

“Learn to knit?” questioned Sally, looking across at me.

“Mrs Roberts is teaching them YOURS

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IllUSTRaTION: kaTIE wOOd

Going against my masculine principles I thought ‘Why not give it a try?’

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