Everything you need to know about Dame Joanna Lumley on Greatest Hits Radio 60s
She's considered one of the greatest comic performers of all time
Here at Greatest Hits Radio we're thrilled to have national treasure, Dame Joanna Lumley, narrating our new 60s station. Famed for her charming British accent, the award-winning actress is considered one of the greatest comic performers of all time.
Get to know the beloved voice behind Greatest Hits Radio 60s, from when you can hear her on air to her Absolutely Fabulous days — and the time she chased The Beatles as a young woman...
Who is Joanna Lumley?
Best known for her iconic role as Ab Fab’s Patsy, Dame Joanna Lumley is an actress, model, presenter and human and animal rights activist.
Starring in the BBC's hit comedy Absolutely Fabulous from 1992 until it stopped filming in 2012, Joanna's character is hilariously remembered for her unique, blunt and boozy manner — and for forever altering the meaning of the word 'darling'.
The actress has starred in countless TV shows and movies — winning a whole stack of prestigious awards, including an NTA Special Recognition in 2013.
How old is Joanna Lumley?
Joanna Lumley was born on 1st May 1946 and is currently 78 years old.
What is Joanna Lumley doing now?
As well as voicing Greatest Hits Radio 60s, Dame Joanna is still acting and presenting — and supports a number of charities and good causes.
She's recently appeared in Celebrity Gogglebox, Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once, Motherland (and upcoming spin-off Amandaland) and will play Grandmama in Wednesday season 2.
You may have also spotted Joanna on TV as Eurovision 2024's UK spokesperson.
When is Joanna Lumley on Greatest Hits Radio 60s?
You'll hear Joanna popping up throughout the day on the station, alongside a variety of brilliant presenters and hits from the 60s.
What can listeners expect from Greatest Hits Radio 60s?
You can expect to come over all Do-Wah-Diddy-Diddy, as Greatest Hits Radio 60s delves into tracks that take us from a Surfin’ Safari to a Waterloo Sunset (with a few Nights in White Satin along the way).
Dame Joanna Lumley is joined by familiar faces including Richard Allinson, who's hosting the Breakfast show from 6am – 10am every Monday to Friday, and Alex Lester who's taking over afternoons from 2pm – 6pm.
Greatest Hits Radio Breakfast presenter, Rossie, gets a lie-in at the weekends before hosting an afternoon show on Saturday and Sunday, with Andy Crane on weekend mid-mornings.
Where was Joanna Lumley born?
Joanna was born in India in 1946 and spent her early childhood travelling throughout the Far East; wherever her father – a major in the British Indian Army – was stationed. In 1954, the family came home to England on leave, where Joanna (then aged 8) and her older sister stayed.
Joanna Lumley movies and TV shows
Throughout a career spanning more than half a century, Joanna has appeared in many notable movies and TV shows. As well as ground-breaking Absolutely Fabulous, the actress is known for memorable roles in Coronation Street, The New Avengers, Shirley Valentine, The Wolf of Wall Street, Gangsta Granny, Paddington 2 and many, many more.
Joanna's recent matriarch role in Harlan Coben thriller Fool Me Once received nationwide praise — and the series has become the most watched programme of 2024 so far. The show's popularity left fans binging more Harlan Coben books which have been recreated for the small screen.
Joanna also presented and appeared in many TV documentaries, such as Joanna Lumley's Nile and Joanna Lumley's Trans-Siberian Adventure.
Joanna Lumley in Absolutely Fabulous
Her iconic role of Patsy Stone in BBC's Absolutely Fabulous (1992-2012) has been widely considered as Joanna's most career-defining acting job. Alongside her friend and colleague, Jennifer Saunders who played Edina Monsoon, the pair had audiences in stitches as they barged through life, with a pack of fags and a bottle of champagne always in tow.
The loudmouth fashion director and her pal from PR were desperate to stay young — and entertained us with their hilarious mishaps for two decades; culminating in a fabulous movie in 2016.
Joanna Lumley on the 60s:
Who is Joanna Lumley married to?
The actress married opera conductor, Stephen Barlow, in 1986 — and says they still send love letters to each other to this day.
How tall is Joanna Lumley?
She’s pretty tall, standing at 5 feet and 8 inches.
Is Joanna Lumley a vegetarian?
Yes. The actress has been a vegetarian for over four decades – and says she’s ‘never ill’. A fact she attributes to eating lots of vegetables and regularly running up and down the stairs of her tall house.
Joanna Lumley's work to support animal welfare and human rights
The Dame is a supporter and patron of a number of charities and good causes, including The Gurkha Welfare Trust, Born Free Foundation, Earth Restoration Service, Trust in Children and Survival International.
In 2008, she became the face of the Gurkha Justice Campaign — a group campaigning for Gurkhas who served in the British military to be entitled to the same rights as their British and Commonwealth counterparts. It was a cause very close to her heart, with her father serving as a major in the British Indian Army.
Joanna Lumley told us how she chased The Beatles:
As a young woman, Joanna and her friends were huge fans of The Beatles. She told Greatest Hits Radio about the time she attempted to follow the band as they left one of their concerts...
What languages does Joanna Lumley speak?
As well as English, Joanna can speak French and has also studied German, Italian and Latin.
What does Joanna Lumley's son do?
Joanna’s son Jamie Lumley is a successful photographer. Born when the actress was 21 years of age, Jamie is now in his fifties. His father is Michael Claydon, also a photographer.
Joanna tells Greatest Hits Radio she was asked out by BOTH of the Everly Brothers:
How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio 60s:
Who presents on Greatest Hits Radio 60s?
60s Jukebox
Non-stop 60s Greatest Hits featuring Ken Bruce's Secret Sixties.
Simon Mayo
Simon Mayo will be hosting documentaries including The Beatles Legacy: Red and Blue Parts I and II.
60s Jukebox
Non-stop 60s Greatest Hits featuring Paul Gambaccini with his Pick of the 60s.
Richard Allinson
Starting your day with the Biggest Songs of the 1960s, postbag and the 60s Selector, from 6am – 10am every Monday to Friday.
Alex Lester
Afternoons with the Biggest Songs of the 1960s, postbag and Lesters 60s Library, from 2pm - 6pm Monday to Friday.
Rossie
Playing the Biggest Songs of the 60s from the good ship Rossie's Revenge! Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm - 6pm.
Andy Crane
Reliving the decade that changed everything with the Biggest Songs of the 1960s, weekends from 10am - 2pm.
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