From the start of this thread, my feelings, as in my post on p1 were ambiguous. But the issue has been bothering me all morning, so I am coming back it more strongly.
I am appalled by the ageism shown by many (not all) contributors on this thread. They are all praising Joan Collins for not wanting to look her age, for her desire to pretend she is younger than her age because they and she think that more admirable to be looking 60 rather than looking 92.
Why should it be 'better' to look 60 than 92? That is the most appalling ageism - and the people doing this are women - the very people who are most deeply damaged by the cult of youth.
That is why I consider Mary Berry in every way so far superior in everything compared with Joan Collins. Joan Collin has reached a stage where her desperate attempts to look younger than she really is just looks pathetic. The photo shows an ageing women trying deperately to look young and capture the allure of her younger years. All it does is highlight that she is wearing a dress that would look fabulous on someone in their 30s but on someone in their 90s just makes them look haggish and highlights how long ago her youth was.
Mary Berry, white haired, comfortable in her own skin and with her age, should be our heroine for showing that women can still be active well into old age, and are people who can still lead an active and working life, even though their countenance and looks show their extreme age.
We need more Mary Berry's, Joan Collins, is living in yesterday's world.