Celebrity Interviews

Singing your heart out

Thursday, 16 May 2013

Music sensation Billy Ocean takes time out talk to Laura Heads about the release of his latest album and how making music has changed dramatically during his 40 year career.

The star has sold over 30 million records in his lifetime and has collected a pile of Gold and Platinum awards across the world. Billy’s unique reggae infused voice and musical style, representing his Trinidadian roots, are recognisable anywhere and it is that which has earned him his well-deserved number ones.

And the well-loved singer-song writer said that the way music is made has changed a lot since he first began in the 1970s. He said: “Music is now controlled by technology. New artists allow technology to control what they are doing.

A taste for life

Friday, 19 April 2013

Ken Hom Celebrity chef Ken Hom OBE talks to Claire Hayhurst about the importance of cooking in older age and reveals how to eat for better health.

Ken, the man who brought Chinese cooking to the masses, is probably one of the hardest working male chefs - despite being semi-retired.

The 63-year-old is a Chinese American chef, author and television presenter and even boasts his own range of ethnic cookware with a hugely popular wok series.

It is hard to believe that this tornado of energy was diagnosed with prostate cancer just two years ago.

But with typical Ken Hom form, the chef believes the disease has made him “more positive than ever” and helped him get closely involved with charities.

The Radio City

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Bob Harris_Celeb_interview

Radio legend “Whispering” Bob Harris tells Laura Heads how radio has changed during his 30 year involvement.

Bob Harris is one of Britain’s most loved radio DJs and has an instantly recognisable voice that is easy to bring joy to anyone.

He has been on the air for more than 30 years and currently hosts a Thursday evening and late night Sunday shows on BBC Radio2 – and has no plans of retiring.

And the well-known persona said that radio has changed enormously since he first began in 1970. “When I started there was hardly any competition”, he mused.

Maureen Lipman: “Nowadays, everyone has written an autobiography”

Monday, 04 March 2013

The Wireless from Age UK uncovers Maureen Lipman’s views on the British celeb scene

National treasure and much-loved actress, Maureen Lipman, says that the once respected autobiographical genre has lost its gravitas, and nowadays anyone can write one - even if they haven’t got anything exciting to say.

Interviewed for digital radio station, The Wireless from Age UK, the star discusses her passion for writing and reveals, “In the days when I first started writing, it was quite unusual for anyone to write an autobiography when they hadn’t had a very exciting life - now, everyone has done it. Good luck to them.”

No ending

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Regional saga queen Margaret Dickinson tells CLAIRE HAYHURST how getting older isn’t affecting her creativity and how MT readers can write their way to success.

MARGARET DICKINSON is one of Britain’s best loved regional saga writers but has the same warmth in her voice as in her books.

She also has an impressive work ethic and unfailing dedication to her writing. Margaret is an author who began writing her first book aged just 14 and is still at her desk, ready to work, at 9am sharp almost six decades later.

Best selling author Margaret Dickinson's top tips for short story writing

Tuesday, 05 February 2013

Margaret Dickinson is one of Britain's best loved regional saga writers. She has always been a storyteller and believes that writing is a hobby that can be taken up at any age.

Following on from our interview in the February 2013 issue of Mature Times newspaper here are Margaret's top tips to help Mature Times readers write their own masterpiece:

Age is just a Number - Daniel O'Donnell

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

MT Exclusive By Claire Hayhurst

Age is just a number according to singing sensation Daniel O’Donnell - who exclusively shared his secrets of 25 years of chart success with Mature Times.

The Irish icon, who was “delighted” to reach his 50th birthday last year, will set a record breaking chart feat this year when he releases his new album.

Songs From The Movies... And More will make Daniel the only artist to have charted at least one new album for 25 consecutive years.

And - something that will be music to the ears of his fans - Daniel has told Mature Times that he has no plans to leave show business.

Strictly all or nothing for Anton Du Beke

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Anton Du_Beke_interview Strictly’s Anton Du Beke couldn’t be happier. Performing on the 10th consecutive series of the show, the king of the ballroom was burning to get his hands on that elusive Glitterball trophy for the first time. This time, his partner was one of the most glamorous contestants the show has ever seen – the six foot Texan born model turned actress Jerry Hall.

“I never have any advance warning who I’m going to get partnered up with. I find out along with everyone else on the live show. Let’s just say though, usually when I see the line up, I have a fair idea. Not for me the lithe twenty-something little whippets. They go to the young boys. Next time, if I’m lucky enough to make next year’s show, watch my face when they make the announcement – you’re probably going to see a nervous twitch before the wide smile takes over,” he laughs.

War Lord

Friday, 19 October 2012

war lord GETTING your five-a-day, making time for family and putting the past behind you – that’s what Lord Paddy Ashdown believes are the secrets to a long and happy retirement.

Although, the 71-year-old former Liberal Democrat leader, with a brand new book having just hit the shelves and another on the way, is far from taking it easy.

In fact, Lord Ashdown tells Mature Times he has no plans of slowing down.

Pretending

“I can’t stand the idea of retirement in the traditional sense”, he said.

“My wife and I have an agreement – I pretend I’m retired and she pretends to believe me.”