Wendy Craig: A Touch of Class

In a distinguished acting career that has spanned several decades Wendy Craig has been held in high esteem across her profession. Her motivation, dedication and the fondness she holds in the hearts of the public make her a true British star.

Wendy Craig's career began on the stage at the age of three in what was the first entry in a phenomenal professional biography. In the late 1950s she appeared in the classic film 'The Servant', with Dirk Bogarde, but it was in British sitcoms in the 1960s and 1970s that she became a household name.

Wendy made the role of the scatty middle-class housewife her own in shows such as 'Not in Front of the Children', 'And Mother Makes Three'. In the latter playing newly-widowed Sally Harrison, a role which she reprised in 'And Mother Makes Five', when Sally re-married.

It was as Ria Parkinson in Carla Lane's 'Butterflies' that she reached the high point of her TV celebrity, playing a flustered housewife facing a mid-life crisis opposite Geoffrey Palmer as her husband and a young Nicholas Lyndhurst - later Rodney in 'Only Fools and Horses' - as her son.

In real life, Wendy Craig is not the dithering character seen on television, but is a very clever and accomplished actress who has collected a number of awards for her talents including actress of the year, BBC personality of the year and the funniest woman on television.

Wendy talked to GoldenLiving.co.uk about her busy life, glittering career and the serious reasons behind her decision to become a Golden Living ambassador.

You've had an amazing career over a number of years you must be very motivated and dedicated?
I have always been very motivated. As a little girl I went to see a pantomime and fell in love with the theatre. So from the age of three I wanted to act and I still love it now and can't imagine not working.

Has the industry changed much over the years?
Things always change; my ambition when I first started was to appear on the stage or possibly a film, because there was no TV as such. It's not like that now, the theatre in London and in the provinces is generally struggling and it's more musicals than serious plays. Now the ambition for young actors is to appear on television and a lot of them lack the skills and experience that are learned in the theatre.

Which part of your career has been your favourite?
There have been lots of wonderful moments but I must say the years of working in comedy programmes such as 'And Mother Makes Three' and 'Not in Front of the Children' are among the happiest memories.

Playing Ria in 'Butterflies' was particularly special. Carla Lane wrote the show beautifully and I loved working on it because it touched so many people who warmed to it and enjoyed it immensely which was really pleasing.

Many of the roles I played in the theatre also hold fond memories. For a long time I preferred the theatre to television work but while the theatre is very enjoyable it is also very taxing performing eight shows per week. Now that I have worked on television for so long I feel at home there and couldn't imagine not doing it.

Are there any roles that you'd have liked to play but never got the chance?
I'd have liked to have done more Shakespeare and played some more classical roles. Hamlet's mother and Lady Macbeth would have been nice to do, but I really can't complain, I've been lucky to play some really fantastic parts in my career.

You’ve worked with some amazing actors such as Dirk Bogarde, Richard Harris and Peter O'Toole, who has been the most influential on you?
I have been very lucky to work with some fantastic actors, but I would say that Geoffrey Palmer who played my husband in 'Butterflies' was truly amazing. He is a wonderful man and I admired his calm attitude, sweet nature and generosity. I do get worked up and nervous quite a lot during filming and it was wonderful to work with someone who had such a calming influence.

Are you an active person away from filming?
I never stop from dawn to dusk. I'm always doing something whether it's cleaning, answering some of the many letters I receive or gardening. I've recently moved house and I'm looking forward to the spring when I can make a start on my new garden. Where I used to live there was a lot of land with the property that was proving difficult to maintain but this garden is a lot more manageable. I have plans to create a rose arch walkway, plant some flowerbeds and maybe even a herbaceous border.

How do you maintain such an active lifestyle?
Well I think I've been blessed with good genes and I believe that a good walk in the nice country air helps keep you healthy. I also keep my brain stimulated with work because keeping the mind active is an essential ingredient in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Do you have a specific exercise/diet routine?
I do a workout every other day that I was taught at drama school and have kept on doing ever since. As for my diet I drink a lot of water and eat a lot of fruit and though I do always try to eat sensibly my downfall is chocolate, which I love very much.


What tips would you give for people to stay active?
I believe that as you get older it is important to keep the things that you are interested in going and if for some reason you can't then you should find some new interests to stimulate the mind and keep the body active.

There's an old saying that you are only as old as you feel and even though there is no point in pretending to be a teenager it is possible to keep your brain stimulated and then age is simply a state of mind.

You've recently moved to a smaller home. What affect has this had on your life?
The new house is much more manageable and there's a lot less to worry about and far less stress because I don't have so much to keep up with all the time. My old house had a lot of land with it and keeping up with the maintenance and upkeep of the property was quite difficult and there comes a time when you know it's time to move on, even though it is sad to let go.

It nearly broke my heart to move out of the home I had lived in because it was so full of memories and had been the family home for 40 years, but once I'd moved into the new house I was really glad that I had done it.

Why did you choose to start working with Golden Living?
When I was first approached by Golden Living to be their endorsement I looked quite seriously into it and found that I really like what the company are doing and that they are going to do a good job of it.

The apartments they are offering are built in nice areas to the highest specification with the best fixtures and fittings, in fact, everything they are providing seems very well thought out. There won't be any stress from living in the apartments just a warm, comfortable home with the reassurance that there's someone close by to turn to for help.

What advice would you give people thinking about moving?
I spent a long time thinking about it and I had a lot of worries, but I actually love it now that I have moved into a smaller home. Golden Living is a good opportunity for people to release some money in retirement, which they could put aside for the future and live in a nice apartment in a desirable area with like-minded people living around them. It's a very reassuring thought.