We caught up with Lesley Joseph to talk TV plans with Linda Robson, texts to Chesney Hawkes, and why she doesn’t plan on retiring any time soon…
She’s 78 - but Lesley Joseph shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the much-loved Birdsof aFeatherstar is set to appear at the London Palladium next month as a 102-year-old grandma!
Truth be told, Lesley never seems to stop working. Just last year, she stepped back into her Birdscharacter Dorien’s skyscraper heels for a Childrenin
Need sketch. Now, the star is swapping her infamous leopard print for spooky potions, after landing a part in the upcoming musical TheAddamsFamily. The mum-of-two, who took part in Strictlyin 2016, will play the character of Granny alongside Michelle Visage’s Morticia. Here, Lesley tells bestabout Michelle being a huge Birdsfan, growing up (not older!), and why she and BFF Linda will always flock together…
Hi, Lesley. We loved the Children in Need Birds of a Feather sketch. Will fans see another comeback?
We loved it but filming the sketch was a nightmare because it was raining the whole time and I was wearing leopard print heels in the middle of a muddy field! There won’t be more with Pauline because she doesn’t want to do anymore. She’s given up acting and wants to concentrate on her family and her stage schools, which are amazing,. I get that. Besides, I think Birds has had its day now. Comedy and sitcoms change, and what you can do and say has changed but, Linda and I will probably get together and do something.
Like what?
We’ve got lots of ideas for reality shows – but not reality shows like Big Brother or anything like that. We’ve been talking about doing something later this year, or early next but we’re not sure what yet…
People loved you two on Celebrity Coach Trip…
And we won! I wouldn’t do a lot of reality stuff but that was three weeks with the most eccentric bunch of people in Portugal. We went from Lisbon to the Algarve and did things such as paddle boarding. And we had an absolute ball. There were people from Geordie Shore, Olympic gold medallists and Chesney Hawkes – and we still message on our WhatsApp group.
Next, you’re starring in The Addams Family, which sounds so much fun!
It’s funny, feel-good and unlike anything else – and, of course, The Addams Family goes way back. It’s about a very kooky, macabre family, which in their world is normal, but anyone else would think is completely extreme!
You’re starring alongside Michelle Visage. Had you met before?
I did Strictly with the singer Anastacia, and M
