“smiling builds an instant rapport”

Best known as the chain-smoking Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous and sassy secret agent Purdey in The New Avengers , in her 80th year Joanna Lumley is relishing a host of darker roles. Here she tells us about her new part in Netflix hit series Wednesday , her support for assisted dying, and why she longs to master perfect pastry…

Jo Whiley on dealing with life’s ups and downs, why chatting with friends is like therapy and the celebrity who surprised her most

It’s astonishing to me how lucky I’ve been – because it is luck; of course it is!’ says Celia Imrie, beaming, as she holds up the Raindance Icon Award she picked up in London the night before. With he

Still bursting with ambition, actress, comedian and writer Helen Lederer is cracking on with life

Comedian, novelist and actor Jenny Eclair on her success, marriage and why she won’t leave London

Gloria Hunniford is running a little late for our interview. Not content with filming an episode of Loose Women, she then had a long lunch with friends before squeezing in a dog walk. It wouldn’t be s