‘Life has gone so quickly’: Lesley Joseph reflects on being in her 80s and having no plans to slow down

Lesley Joseph is well known to generations of fans as a talented actress and broadcaster, with a stage and screen career that spans over 60 years.

While many will remember the star for her role as Dorien Green in the long-running BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather, she's appeared in a number of high-profile roles and been nominated for an Olivier Award for her theatre work.

Approaching the age of 81, Lesley says she has no plans to slow down or retire, and still has plenty of energy.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly on her chat show, Lesley says of life, "I just can't believe it, it's gone so quickly."

She continues, "I don't think I'd ever thought about age until I got to 80, and then it was like, 'Oh my goodness, help'".

The actress explains that she still likes to keep fit, saying she "walks everywhere" and likes to do exercises at home to stay well.

"My body will tell me when to slow down, and it's not there yet," she says with her signature brand of honesty.

Lesley is just about to appear in Billy Elliot the Musical when it returns to the West End at the Adelphi Theatre in London. From 12 February next year, she'll take on the role of Grandma in the show.

Set in the mid-1980s, the musical follows a young boy named Billy, who secretly pursues his passion for dancing while facing resistance at home and from his working class community.

Speaking about the show, Lesley says, "There are about four moments that make me cry every time I watch it, it's extraordinary."

Praising the rest of the cast, the actress shares, "The children in it - they're tapping and they're acting - we've got wonderful Billys and it's a glorious show."

Explaining how busy she's been this year, Lesley says that she was in Road, a Jim Cartwright play. "I played a very, very old woman in that," she shares.

The audience are shown a picture of Lesley in the play, and she looks worlds away from her usual, glamorous appearance, and is shown to be very vulnerable and frail, with none of the usual makeup and dark hair she's known for.

"I'm getting older as an actress, so I'm going to do parts that fit me," she says of portraying an elderly woman in Road, and now the grandma in Billy Elliot.

When the segment from the conversation was shared to Instagram, many fellow performers as well as the public had praise for Lesley.

Actress Kacey Ainsworth commented, "You are wonderful Lesley, anyone who has worked with you knows how talented, funny and brilliant you are."

One fan wrote, "She is amazing, I love her energy and her vibe," with another adding, "Very inspiring. She's a talented actress, and has such an amazing distinctive voice when narrating."