Knowing when to quit

Where does Mary Berry get all her stamina?

The answer has to be CAKE!

(should be 'toupées'!)

I did feel a pang for Billy Connolly when he was on the TV awards programme the other evening. So sad he's been brought low by PD at the age of 73, especially as he'd always been such a flamboyant entertainer...

Others, such as Brucie, just don't know when it's time to hang up their toupés

I don't think it's ageist to say someone should give up if they can't perform to a reasonable standard any more.
It's only ageist if judgements are made without any foundation in fact.

Remember Frank Sinatra and all his "come-backs"? But Mary Berry I really admire. Where does she get her stamina?

I think the great Tina Turner is now married and lives in Switzerland in retirement.

I've seen billy conelly and felt quite sad, he's gotton slower due to illness,also love tom Jones,rod Stewart and Elton, my fav of all time and she still cuts it is Tina Turner.saw her in her last show aged 70 dancing around on stage like a 20 yr old and sounding fantastic!!!!

We'll done to you May keep at it.

Jing I am with you on the two dire birds from Strictly. Their inane chat has stopped me watching the programme. On the rare occasions I see a bit of it I anticipate the words of the blonde presenter as she repeats herself so much e.g. 'Come over her my lovely' bl**dy hell I could puke - do we have a puking emotion ? Rant over.

Judi Dench and Maggie Smith still in their acting prime IMO.

Well done Maywalk, I hope your hip's better now.
I'm interested in WW2 too and would like to see your website - can you send me a link to it? On a pm if you like.
I belong to a WW2 forum but it's very male dominated, mostly younger men too.

Well I am 86 this year and I have to admit that I cant do what I used to do many years ago.
Having said that I broke my hip in three places in October last year and when I finished up in the recovery hospital my son brought me my laptop in for me to keep in touch with the outside world.
It was comical really because the head of the recovery hospital was doing the rounds and he saw me on the laptop. He came and asked me did I know how to work it??????????????
I looked at him in amazement and said YES I KNEW how to work it and whats more I had a big WW2 website that many folks had contacted me through and also many veterans had sent me their tales to put on my website.
It was him who seemed amazed and said that I was THE only one in the hospital with a laptop apart from the staff and then asked me for the website.
Just because one gets older doesn't mean to say that we are unable to do some things.

jingleBellsFrocks - How very dare you - Claudia Winkelman is lovely - it's the other one with the wonky eye that's the problem........!!!!!

I would like to have a word with Casting who thought this one up - stupid - Tommy Steele was never much good for anything really........

It says in the i today that Michael Caine wants to have a lead part when they make a film about the Hatton Garden robbery. Should be good.

I think.It can be distracting if someone is obviously old and passed it. It is distracting to think about how well they have survived rather than following the play / musical.

There comes a time for a dignified retirement.......mind you Shirley can still belt out the old songs.

Another example is Bob Dylan - except for a recent improvement in his voice, he should have given up years ago. I think he's still doing his "neverending tour."
Then there's Leonard Cohen, but he doesn't really sing.
As for women, the three ladies in Ripoff Britain are all in their 70s and looking good.

Just want to say that 2 DSs love the Rolling Stones so not just the oldies. One has really been in mourning over the loss of Bowie.

I, too love Tom Jones now having never been a fan in the past. Changed his appearance [his son/manager told him to ditch the hair dye] and changed his music. He's revered by younger musicians these days. Ditto Rod Stewart, who I also never liked but I love his new music. The best of them all, though, must be Robert Plant who moved on to bluegrass with great success and now world music and is constantly innovating/changing/learning. David Attenborough to me is 'the voice of wildlife documentaries' and is too old to be 'on camera'. I tried to watch some of the Great Barrier reef programme but fell asleep although I don't think it was his fault entirely...it's just a plain boring programme .

I have to disagree about Rod Stewart. I've seen him in concert a couple of times in recent years and not only did his voice still sound great ( I am a fan so probably slightly biased) but he did a full 2-3 hours on stage alone, dancing , singing talking . A great show each time.

I first saw him some 45 years ago and I think he's got better with age.

But I agree some singers just don't have it any more and for me Paul McCartney is one of those ! Also Elton John.

I also saw the Osmonds about 5 years ago and despite the facts that they don't dance about any more, they played their own instruments, sang and gave a thoroughly good concert. ( My DH actually commented during Crazy Horses == they're a bit loud aren't they !!)

As shown by the replies it's obviously all a matter of personal taste. I never did like Paul McCartney and still don't. He has no singing talent. Tom Jones still sounds OK. Rod Stewart has realised his limitations and mainly sings songs that match his gravelly voice. We saw Neil Sedaka last year and despite a more feeble body his voice was just the same. He was on stage with no accompaniment just him and a piano. Obviously the demand is there otherwise these shows would not sell out. The Stones can fill stadiums every night so good luck to them. Obviously there are no new groups which the older generation want to see or hear.

I like Bruce Forsythe. Very much actually. I think he is a real people person. Strictly is not the same with just Jess and the daft cow other one.

David Attenborough is still fine for those who like wildlife. () Agree about John Humphrys. Long may he continue both on Today and MAstermind.

I am utterly ashamed to say I can't get along with Nick Robinson on the Today Programme. My hearing is definitely going down and I can't always catch what he's saying. He is a lovely man though, so I hope they ignore the likes of me and keep him on.

Sorry, John Humphries should pack in asap.
Sadly he is just not as sharp as he once was - and is sometimes even embarrassing.
It isn't about making way for younger people I don't think... it's about, as someone else said, retiring gracefully rather than hanging on!

Poor man probably needs the money.

I think Bruce Forsyth must be the human form of Marmite, people either love him or hate him. I'm not saying.

Oh Annie you have upset my morning. I can't bear the thought of John Humphreys giving up. No, it mustn't happen.

love the Beatles and Hey Jude but Paul McCartney's rendering of it during the closing ceremony of the Olympics was eyewateringly dire.

Wanted to know what Mick Jagger had for breakfast the morning of the Glastonbury performance - and if I could have some. Rock on Mick, and Tom Jones, and Elton and Rod.

John Humphries is a joy, David Attenborough awesome.

Hated Bruce Forsyth since I was a child and very thankful he at last realised he was well past his sell by date. Strictly so much better without him