Category Entertainment News

For the first time since receiving a shock diagnosis of cancer, The Princess of Wales has performed at Royal Variety. She dazzling in a velvet green gown while posing for the red carpet with Prince William.

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The Princess of Wales paid a special tribute to the late Queen as she dazzled on the red carpet for tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. Tonight’s star-studded affair at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London marks the first time Prince William and Kate have attended the event in two years, following the princess’ shock cancer diagnosis.

Showing exactly how ‘black tie’ events are done, Kate looked breathtaking in an emerald green, figure-hugging velvet gown. The floor-length dress had a fishtail-style bottom and off-the shoulder sleeves. The beaming princess wore her hair down in her signature loose curls, simply paired with the late Queen’s Cartier diamond drop earrings.

READ MORE: Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive for star-studded Royal Variety PerformanceREAD MORE: ‘Awkward’ Prince Harry looks like ‘a fish out of water’ in Meghan’s new Christmas videoREAD MORE: Meghan Markle makes cryptic remark about family and ‘feeling seen’ in new video

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Tonight is no exception to Kate’s tradition of adding sentimental and symbolic details to her outfits. The late monarch once wore the Greville chandelier earrings, which Cartier made from 1918 to 1929. A matching jewel-encrusted clutch, dazzling cuff bracelet, and green court heels completed the future queen’s outfit.

William also looked the part in a black velvet suit jacket and a white dress shirt, completed with a smart bow tie for the fancy outing. As they arrived, the royal couple were greeted by ITV board members and representatives from the Royal Variety Charity. Kate was presented with posies by nine-year-old twins Emelia and Olivia Edwards, also representing the charity.

Fans turned out in full force to watch Kate and William attend the unique evening, which took place at Kensington Palace, Kensington Palace, and was located just a few blocks away from their London pad. Kate, who was battling the cold and sleet, said, “It’s so nice to be back for the performance.” She had goose bumps on her bare arms as she chatted to guests.

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The royal couple will see performances from Paddington The Musical’s cast, Jessie J, and Laufey, a Grammy-winning singer. William and Kate have seen the show for the sixth time.

William and Kate both shared a sweet and tender moment on the red carpet, and William gently led her into the hall. Kate gave her first speech since returning to work on Tuesday following her cancer diagnosis, which also included a week-long celebration. Without his wife by his side, Williamsiam did not show up for the Diplomatic Corps reception at Windsor Castle last night, but the pair were wowed by the crowd at the evening’s event.

The show will be hosted by comedian Jason Manford, and Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure will give a unique performance from the Live Aid musical Just For One Day. Before the grand finale, 400 performers, including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, and Katy Secombe, will perform an excerpt from the musical Kinky Boots in honor of the 40th anniversary of the award-winning musical Les Miserables.

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King George V and Queen Mary were present at the Royal Variety Performance in 1912, and the performance is now in its 113th year. Royal guests are present each year. King Charles had planned to attend the Royal Variety Performance with Queen Camilla, but she was forced to miss due to a chest infection, which turned out to be viral pneumonia, with him.

In a passionate speech on Tuesday, Kate called on firms to invest in the development of children in the early years, in order to create a healthier and happier society. Championing a cause very close to her heart, the princess hosted the Future Workforce Summit, convened by her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. It was her first speech in two years – her first since completing her cancer treatment.

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In March 2023, Kate established her Early Childhood Business Task Force. She addressed the audience by stating, “My passion and the work of The Centre for Early Childhood are largely influenced by the love we feel in our earliest years,” and how we develop as adults.

Lisa Riley, the star of I’m a celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, lost 12th grade in 18 months, suffered a painful complication that made exercise impossible, and was forced to take drastic action.

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I’m A Celebrity star Lisa Riley lost 12st in a life-changing journey to transform her body from a size 28 to a size 12, but it came at a cost.

The soap star swapped out takeaways and unhealthy snacks for regular exercise and healthy meals over the course of an 18-month period. The outcomes were dramatic, but 49-year-old Lisa’s joy was tempered by agonizing folds of extra skin, which weighed more than 1.5 stone.

In her 2017 documentary, Lisa Riley’s Baggy Body Club, the television personality told how she felt like a ‘saggy mess’, heartbreakingly admitting she felt ‘revolted’ by what she saw in the mirror.

She continued, “I never for a second imagined that I would end up looking that way when I made the decision to lose weight.” Never did it occur to me that the skin would be so painful.

I wondered, “Why on earth have I lost this much weight?” When I was obese, I looked worse. Additionally, there was the suffering. The skin was dragging and flapping around.

READ MORE: I’m A Celeb viewers fume ‘get a grip’ as camp breaks down in tearsREAD MORE: Alex Scott’s relationship criteria Jess Glynne had to meet amid marriage admission

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The issue, in Lisa’s opinion, was more about physical issues than just appearance. She had to work out to keep her weight off, but the discomfort brought on by her excess skin prevented this.

She said, “When you are on this weight loss journey, food becomes the enemy, and you have to move, go to the gym, and do it,” she continued. However, the situation was getting worse. It was difficult to clean between the folds, and it rubbed and turned red.

She bravely allowed cameras to record her experience, shedding light on the difficulties that many people who lose weight face as a result of her decision to have surgery.

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The Emmerdale star said: “I wanted to show the brutality of it. In life you can’t sympathise or have empathy with anybody unless you can see it. If I can help one person, and I know I have helped thousands, then for me it has been worthwhile.”

Despite having a close-knit family and a group of long-term girlfriends, Lisa felt as though none of them could fully comprehend what she was going through. She was shocked by what she discovered when she looked through the results of her search on the internet to find other people who might be going through the same ordeal.

After that, Lisa set up her Baggy Body Club and set up a private meeting with some of her new online friends to talk about their experiences. These conversations spurred her on to go through the procedure, even though she was terrified of the procedure.

She admitted, “Everyone thought I wasn’t going to go through with it the night before the surgery because I was so terrified.” I had the idea that I might be dead in 11 hours. I’m a little late for bed.

“Could I have lived my entire life without the loose skin?” Yes, but I wouldn’t have been content. I have corrected what I had done to myself, not having had cosmetic surgery.

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Nobody ever managed to eat a whole packet of sausages or 50 Twix bars at once. That affected me. No one prevented me from working out at the gym. I reportedly had seven takeaways per week during some weeks. That affected me. I must assume that responsibility.

Lisa had four operations, including a fleur de lis tummy tuck that left her with vertical and horizontal scars, surgery to remove her thighs’ loose skin, a breast lift, and the removal of her ” bingo wings.”

Lisa’s recovery from the surgery, which she claimed is not an easy path to a slim physique, took several long, agonizing months. She was, however, beyond pleased with how she had looked.

Before it was all just cute bras and big knickers, she continued, “I had never been able to wear sexy underwear.” I can now wear tiny seductive sets. The elderly person would have had a coffee, baguette, red wine, crisps, and a cake on the train from Manchester to London.

Although Meghan Markle and Prince Harry exchange sweet hugs, one expert has discovered a hidden sign of discomfort after releasing a glittery new trailer for her Netflix Christmas special.

3 images to be seen

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have packed on the PDA in a new trailer for the Duchess’ upcoming Netflix show, but one expert says there’s more than meets the eye.

The Duke has made a rare cameo in the glitzy video, which Meghan proudly released on Instagram today. He barely appeared in the first season of her controversial lifestyle show – With Love, Meghan – and was nowhere to be seen in the second series, released earlier this summer.

But this time around, Harry is spotted within seconds in the trailer, hinting there’s more of him to come this time. The short clip even shows Harry and Meghan sharing a quick smooch in the kitchen, a rare occurance in public for the couple. Dressed in a casual light brown linen shirt, the Duke quickly leans in for a kiss as Meghan locks her hand around his neck in a sweet embrace. He’s also holding a bowl of food, clearly about to tuck in before they lock lips.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle makes cryptic remark about family and ‘feeling seen’ in new videoREAD MORE: Inside Donald Trump’s ‘unstable’ mind after vile ‘piggy’ outburst at female journalistREAD MORE: Royal couple ENGAGED as prince pops question on trip abroad for another wedding

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Meghan’s show has been a huge success, but body language expert Judi James has revealed that the Duke may not have felt as comfortable in his own presence. Judi says in the clip, “It’s Harry’s cameo appearance that might cause the discomfort here.” She points to subtle tells in the clip. As he holds a small bowl aloft and too high for comfort as he mixes whatever small dollop he has inside, he appears to be looking like a very self-aware fish out of water.

“Has he been invited to stir the pudding at last, having missed out on the four generational royal pudding stirring event that his brother appeared on?” Judi asked. “If so, this looks like a very censorious portion size version.” She is referencing the moment Prince William and Prince George joined the late Queen and then-Prince Charles at a Christmas pudding cooking session in 2019. Harry was notably absent, and swiftly self-exiled from royal life just one year later.

Judi explained in the film’s rare PDA show that “but he gets a reward kiss from Meghan for taking part,” pointing out that the couple’s kiss suggests total approval for his rather show-pony appearance in her idealistic version of the Holidays.

It’s long been claimed that Harry feels somewhat uncomfortable in the glossy celebrity world Meghan has now rooted her career in, and instead flourishes in charity work. Jennie Bond, former royal correspondent at the BBC, previously told The Mirror: “I think he is coming to recognise that the LA celebrity world is one in which he is not especially comfortable. And he seems quite willing to let Meghan take the limelight over there. He speaks frequently about a life of service, and [charity] trips like this certainly serve a very good cause indeed.”

3 images to be seen

The glossy trailer has released on the same night that Princess Kate and Prince William are attending the Royal Variety Show. Throughout the new video, Meghan is seen crafting, decorating and even shopping for Christmas trees – swapping her high-end red carpet garbs for more laid-back, casual outfits. She also gushes about “embracing traditions and making new ones,” hinting at preparations she’s making with her young children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.

Reflecting on what the season means to her, she adds: “It’s about finding time to connect with the people we love”. It may be a difficult listen for King Charles, who has not seen Archie for five years. Heartbreakingly, he has also only met Lilibet once.

The former actress also asserts that “being a host or host is about making people feel comfortable” while cooking up a storm. Then, Gasturateur Will Guidara says, “You can do things that make people feel a little bit.” before they both use the phrase “more seen”

Although Meghan Markle and Prince Harry exchange sweet hugs, one expert has discovered a hidden sign of discomfort after releasing a glittery new trailer for her Netflix Christmas special.

3 images to be seen

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have packed on the PDA in a new trailer for the Duchess’ upcoming Netflix show, but one expert says there’s more than meets the eye.

The Duke has made a rare cameo in the glitzy video, which Meghan proudly released on Instagram today. He barely appeared in the first season of her controversial lifestyle show – With Love, Meghan – and was nowhere to be seen in the second series, released earlier this summer.

But this time around, Harry is spotted within seconds in the trailer, hinting there’s more of him to come this time. The short clip even shows Harry and Meghan sharing a quick smooch in the kitchen, a rare occurance in public for the couple. Dressed in a casual light brown linen shirt, the Duke quickly leans in for a kiss as Meghan locks her hand around his neck in a sweet embrace. He’s also holding a bowl of food, clearly about to tuck in before they lock lips.

READ MORE: Meghan Markle makes cryptic remark about family and ‘feeling seen’ in new videoREAD MORE: Inside Donald Trump’s ‘unstable’ mind after vile ‘piggy’ outburst at female journalistREAD MORE: Royal couple ENGAGED as prince pops question on trip abroad for another wedding

3 images to be seen

Meghan’s show has been a huge success, but body language expert Judi James has revealed that the Duke may not have felt as comfortable in his own presence. Judi says in the clip, “It’s Harry’s cameo appearance that might cause the discomfort here.” She points to subtle tells in the clip. As he holds a small bowl aloft and too high for comfort as he mixes whatever small dollop he has inside, he appears to be looking like a very self-aware fish out of water.

“Has he been invited to stir the pudding at last, having missed out on the four generational royal pudding stirring event that his brother appeared on?” Judi asked. “If so, this looks like a very censorious portion size version.” She is referencing the moment Prince William and Prince George joined the late Queen and then-Prince Charles at a Christmas pudding cooking session in 2019. Harry was notably absent, and swiftly self-exiled from royal life just one year later.

Judi explained in the film’s rare PDA show that “but he gets a reward kiss from Meghan for taking part,” pointing out that the couple’s kiss suggests total approval for his rather show-pony appearance in her idealistic version of the Holidays.

It’s long been claimed that Harry feels somewhat uncomfortable in the glossy celebrity world Meghan has now rooted her career in, and instead flourishes in charity work. Jennie Bond, former royal correspondent at the BBC, previously told The Mirror: “I think he is coming to recognise that the LA celebrity world is one in which he is not especially comfortable. And he seems quite willing to let Meghan take the limelight over there. He speaks frequently about a life of service, and [charity] trips like this certainly serve a very good cause indeed.”

3 images to be seen

The glossy trailer has released on the same night that Princess Kate and Prince William are attending the Royal Variety Show. Throughout the new video, Meghan is seen crafting, decorating and even shopping for Christmas trees – swapping her high-end red carpet garbs for more laid-back, casual outfits. She also gushes about “embracing traditions and making new ones,” hinting at preparations she’s making with her young children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4.

Reflecting on what the season means to her, she adds: “It’s about finding time to connect with the people we love”. It may be a difficult listen for King Charles, who has not seen Archie for five years. Heartbreakingly, he has also only met Lilibet once.

The former actress also asserts that “being a host or host is about making people feel comfortable” while cooking up a storm. Then, Gasturateur Will Guidara says, “You can do things that make people feel a little bit.” before they both use the phrase “more seen”

xx

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Janet Street-Porter is so unashamedly honest, witty and entertaining that you wish you could spend days, not hours in her company. Described on her own website as “the nation’s favourite pissed-off pensioner”, this is a woman with plenty of stories to tell.

The Loose Women stalwart, who turns 80 next year, vibrant red hair still intact, spills the beans on her recent surgery and her riotous UK tour Off The Leash in an exclusive chat with OK! – also telling us why she believes a rant is good for the soul.

READ MORE: Stacey Solomon’s ‘pretty and sophisticated’ Abbott Lyon watch plummets in price

View 6 Images

With her famous cackle, she says she’s truly on her way to becoming a bionic woman. She recently had her right knee “done” following a hip replacement last year and a left knee replacement eight years ago.

She claims that she was waving my arms around and showing off as she was walking to the loo without a stick two hours later, and that she was still full of painkillers. She acknowledges that she has since relinquished that high and is still suffering greatly.

“I’m walking around fine but at night the nerve pain is shocking. Really awful You have just got to tough these things out, she says, but I’m putting a lot of ice on it.

It’s hard to imagine someone like Janet wallowing. She asserts that you can make the decision to become someone who looks backwards, to embrace getting older, to discuss the drawbacks but also to applaud the benefits.

With her milestone birthday next December, we ask if there’s a big star-studded bash in the works. She admits she’s not sure yet, reminding us she’s had plenty in her time, attended by the likes of I’m A Celebrity star Ruby Wax, James Bond actor Daniel Craig and her close pal of 40-odd years Sir Elton John.

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She’s unsure how she feels about turning 80. “My agent keeps saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to call a new tour 80 not out ?’ I say, ‘Darling, when you get to 80 and you’re a woman, you’re not interested in bloody cricket. And does that mean at 81 I kick the bucket? I’ll still be working and growing veg, but I’ll probably find a younger person to do the donkey work.”

She declares that she will continue to enjoy a greasy fry-up and the occasional glass of wine while also getting irritated about articles about healthy living. She claims, “I still detest those health pages.” “I read them then start ranting. However, ranting benefits the soul.

Janet has never shied away from making controversial comments, especially when she sits on the Loose Women panel. Asked if they ever get her into hot water, she insists they’ve merely “ruffled a few feathers”.

“I sometimes look at Coleen [Nolan]’s face and she’s totally amazed at something I’ve said. But on a live show, people want spontaneity, to see women saying things they secretly think but don’t have the guts to say. We’re saying it on their behalf.”

She adores working with pals like Coleen, Ruth Langsford and Brenda Edwards, and says they very often don’t agree on things, which is what makes the programme so watchable.

People are extremely concerned about upsetting people today. To me, it’s adding a level of anxiety that’s not necessary”, she says. However, I don’t intend to offend or cause harm to anyone. My observations, which are not hostile toward others, are the majority of my own.

” But I do have an opinion about everything. My partner suggests that I express my thoughts on the refrigerator’s yoghurt. And I do, because we actually discussed it this morning.

As for all the staff cuts at Loose Women and the reduced shows from January, Janet – who has produced and presented over the years – says she’s philosophical about it.

I’ve had to shave myself. She explains, “I’ve been made redundant.” For those concerned it’s very traumatic and I empathise. I’ve been told to stop watching TV and getting kicked out of it. It really wounds you.

View 6 Images

“But there’s another job out there, and sometimes, especially when it’s early in your career, it can improve your chances and give you strength. I’m not talking about the Loose staff right now, but what worries me is that some young people don’t have the ability to look at something that isn’t working their way and get past it without collapsing or breaking down.

She adds, “People love our show exactly because the women on it have been through so much – the menopause, cheating husbands, money problems, we’ve done it all between us”.

After recovering from surgery, Janet returns to the road with her hilarious and autobiographical Off the Leash tour. Her close friend Elton aptly states, “The bitch is back.

In the first scene, Janet explains how she came to live in a working-class family in London in the 1950s and how she coped with her parents’ problems.

“I thought they were a bit weird,” she admits. “As a teenager, I’d look at them and think, ‘They can’t possibly be my parents. They’re far too boring.’ People might think I’m a bit odd, but I think when you see the show you’ll understand more about why I turned out the way I did.”

View 6 Images

When they met, Janet claims, “They were very secretive,” despite the fact that both of her parents were married to other people. I’m a typical Baby Boomer in that my parents met during tumultuous times and were married very young to other people. I was raised in a family with a lot of rules and secrets. My father served in Burma during the war, and it had a negative impact on his personality.

During the show, she often gets audience members who identify with her descriptions so strongly that they shout out, “Mine were just like that”.

The production also includes hilarious descriptions of the food Janet’s mother, who “couldn’t cook to save her life,” would serve up, including a salad made from a lettuce on a plate, a spring onion and tomato, and, if you were lucky, a “tin of mystery meat.”

“I’ve done so much telly about food over the years – The F Word with Gordon Ramsay and MasterChef , twice – but I try to explain that none of that love of food comes from growing up.”

Janet kept a detailed diary from the age of 14 to 16, and in her show, she reads some excerpts from it. It touches on everything, including the boys she was dating, her beloved mod outfits, her famous hair, and her love of the Rolling Stones’ early music (surprise, she wasn’t impressed).

View 6 Images

The star, who’s been married four times and has been in a long-term relationship with Peter Spanton since 1999, also opens up about key moments in her colourful life. There’s the time when she was forced to have a backstreet abortion as a teenager and the time she met her first husband Tim and promptly dumped the man she was engaged to be married to.

In retrospect, Janet acknowledges feeling bad about it. “I thought nothing of dumping the man I was supposed to marry, which in retrospect was very cruel. I chose my first husband because he was so gorgeous, funny, and wise. I followed my mother’s instructions exactly. But my mother then had the cheek to tell me she couldn’t hold her head up because she was so embarrassed about it. She appeared to be a bit of a hypocrite.

Her illustrious career in journalism and broadcasting is discussed in the show. She started off on Petticoat Magazine, as did Claudia Winkleman’s mum Eve Pollard, before becoming a columnist aged just 21.

She claims, “I’ve never really looked back since.” However, things weren’t always as it seemed. I remember the horrible prejudice about my accent when I first did radio. Although it’s not new, I had it in the early 1970s because of my working-class accent.

She says she left her television career in 1975, and she still finds it hard to believe that her own television show, The London Weekend Show, is still airing on the now-defunct channel LWT, has lasted fifty years. “Reading out my diaries on stage, I do sometimes wonder if I’m really that different from the silly teenager I was back then. I don’t believe I am.

xx

View 6 Images

Janet Street-Porter is so unashamedly honest, witty and entertaining that you wish you could spend days, not hours in her company. Described on her own website as “the nation’s favourite pissed-off pensioner”, this is a woman with plenty of stories to tell.

The Loose Women stalwart, who turns 80 next year, vibrant red hair still intact, spills the beans on her recent surgery and her riotous UK tour Off The Leash in an exclusive chat with OK! – also telling us why she believes a rant is good for the soul.

READ MORE: Stacey Solomon’s ‘pretty and sophisticated’ Abbott Lyon watch plummets in price

View 6 Images

With her famous cackle, she says she’s truly on her way to becoming a bionic woman. She recently had her right knee “done” following a hip replacement last year and a left knee replacement eight years ago.

She claims that she was waving my arms around and showing off as she was walking to the loo without a stick two hours later, and that she was still full of painkillers. She acknowledges that she has since relinquished that high and is still suffering greatly.

“I’m walking around fine but at night the nerve pain is shocking. Really awful You have just got to tough these things out, she says, but I’m putting a lot of ice on it.

It’s hard to imagine someone like Janet wallowing. She asserts that you can make the decision to become someone who looks backwards, to embrace getting older, to discuss the drawbacks but also to applaud the benefits.

With her milestone birthday next December, we ask if there’s a big star-studded bash in the works. She admits she’s not sure yet, reminding us she’s had plenty in her time, attended by the likes of I’m A Celebrity star Ruby Wax, James Bond actor Daniel Craig and her close pal of 40-odd years Sir Elton John.

View 6 Images

She’s unsure how she feels about turning 80. “My agent keeps saying, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to call a new tour 80 not out ?’ I say, ‘Darling, when you get to 80 and you’re a woman, you’re not interested in bloody cricket. And does that mean at 81 I kick the bucket? I’ll still be working and growing veg, but I’ll probably find a younger person to do the donkey work.”

She declares that she will continue to enjoy a greasy fry-up and the occasional glass of wine while also getting irritated about articles about healthy living. She claims, “I still detest those health pages.” “I read them then start ranting. However, ranting benefits the soul.

Janet has never shied away from making controversial comments, especially when she sits on the Loose Women panel. Asked if they ever get her into hot water, she insists they’ve merely “ruffled a few feathers”.

“I sometimes look at Coleen [Nolan]’s face and she’s totally amazed at something I’ve said. But on a live show, people want spontaneity, to see women saying things they secretly think but don’t have the guts to say. We’re saying it on their behalf.”

She adores working with pals like Coleen, Ruth Langsford and Brenda Edwards, and says they very often don’t agree on things, which is what makes the programme so watchable.

People are extremely concerned about upsetting people today. To me, it’s adding a level of anxiety that’s not necessary”, she says. However, I don’t intend to offend or cause harm to anyone. My observations, which are not hostile toward others, are the majority of my own.

” But I do have an opinion about everything. My partner suggests that I express my thoughts on the refrigerator’s yoghurt. And I do, because we actually discussed it this morning.

As for all the staff cuts at Loose Women and the reduced shows from January, Janet – who has produced and presented over the years – says she’s philosophical about it.

I’ve had to shave myself. She explains, “I’ve been made redundant.” For those concerned it’s very traumatic and I empathise. I’ve been told to stop watching TV and getting kicked out of it. It really wounds you.

View 6 Images

“But there’s another job out there, and sometimes, especially when it’s early in your career, it can improve your chances and give you strength. I’m not talking about the Loose staff right now, but what worries me is that some young people don’t have the ability to look at something that isn’t working their way and get past it without collapsing or breaking down.

She adds, “People love our show exactly because the women on it have been through so much – the menopause, cheating husbands, money problems, we’ve done it all between us”.

After recovering from surgery, Janet returns to the road with her hilarious and autobiographical Off the Leash tour. Her close friend Elton aptly states, “The bitch is back.

In the first scene, Janet explains how she came to live in a working-class family in London in the 1950s and how she coped with her parents’ problems.

“I thought they were a bit weird,” she admits. “As a teenager, I’d look at them and think, ‘They can’t possibly be my parents. They’re far too boring.’ People might think I’m a bit odd, but I think when you see the show you’ll understand more about why I turned out the way I did.”

View 6 Images

When they met, Janet claims, “They were very secretive,” despite the fact that both of her parents were married to other people. I’m a typical Baby Boomer in that my parents met during tumultuous times and were married very young to other people. I was raised in a family with a lot of rules and secrets. My father served in Burma during the war, and it had a negative impact on his personality.

During the show, she often gets audience members who identify with her descriptions so strongly that they shout out, “Mine were just like that”.

The production also includes hilarious descriptions of the food Janet’s mother, who “couldn’t cook to save her life,” would serve up, including a salad made from a lettuce on a plate, a spring onion and tomato, and, if you were lucky, a “tin of mystery meat.”

“I’ve done so much telly about food over the years – The F Word with Gordon Ramsay and MasterChef , twice – but I try to explain that none of that love of food comes from growing up.”

Janet kept a detailed diary from the age of 14 to 16, and in her show, she reads some excerpts from it. It touches on everything, including the boys she was dating, her beloved mod outfits, her famous hair, and her love of the Rolling Stones’ early music (surprise, she wasn’t impressed).

View 6 Images

The star, who’s been married four times and has been in a long-term relationship with Peter Spanton since 1999, also opens up about key moments in her colourful life. There’s the time when she was forced to have a backstreet abortion as a teenager and the time she met her first husband Tim and promptly dumped the man she was engaged to be married to.

In retrospect, Janet acknowledges feeling bad about it. “I thought nothing of dumping the man I was supposed to marry, which in retrospect was very cruel. I chose my first husband because he was so gorgeous, funny, and wise. I followed my mother’s instructions exactly. But my mother then had the cheek to tell me she couldn’t hold her head up because she was so embarrassed about it. She appeared to be a bit of a hypocrite.

Her illustrious career in journalism and broadcasting is discussed in the show. She started off on Petticoat Magazine, as did Claudia Winkleman’s mum Eve Pollard, before becoming a columnist aged just 21.

She claims, “I’ve never really looked back since.” However, things weren’t always as it seemed. I remember the horrible prejudice about my accent when I first did radio. Although it’s not new, I had it in the early 1970s because of my working-class accent.

She says she left her television career in 1975, and she still finds it hard to believe that her own television show, The London Weekend Show, is still airing on the now-defunct channel LWT, has lasted fifty years. “Reading out my diaries on stage, I do sometimes wonder if I’m really that different from the silly teenager I was back then. I don’t believe I am.