At 71, Eve mourns the long-gone wolf-whistles
EVE Pollard has told how she feels invisible to men at 71 and secretly liked being wolf-whistled in her younger days.
The TV presenter and former editor of the Sunday Express revealed that while she rarely thinks about age, she does notice the differences in attention.
“I know that no man is ever going to wolf-whistle at me or stare moodily at me with a hint of lust again,” she said.
“Yes, you can be a feminist and secretly enjoy that, but I’m realistic, that was then.”
Lady Lloyd, her official title, is adamant that she will keep on working.
The mother of two is currently presenting The Baby Boomers Guide To Growing Old on TV channel More 4.
She said: “I have never consciously chosen to keep on working, even though I’m the proud owner of a Freedom Pass.
“Retirement isn’t for me. Well, at least not yet. For all my working life I have been part of large organisations, magazines or newspapers.
“And do you know why? In the main, it’s fun.
“Yes, there are bosses who drive you mad, it can be tiring, exhausting, frustrating, but it’s never lonely.”
She added that being an older worker was a good way of remaining involved in life and could help boost selfesteem while avoiding feeling lonely.
She said: “Loneliness is the scourge of old age, which means there has never been a better time to enjoy those water-cooler moments.
“To discuss your problems. To hear a joke. To ask advice.
“Another by-product of working is the satisfaction of realising you are still useful, still capable. Very good for self-esteem, which can take a dive as the years go past.”
“Thinking of why I haven’t given up work made me realise that I don’t subscribe to the “o” [old] word.
“Yes, there are certain days when my back feels like hell, or I can’t scoop my youngest grandchild, a strapping lad of 11 months, off the floor without very careful thought.”
Lady Lloyd, mother of Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman, told Radio Times she remained pragmatic about ageing, adding: “I’m under no illusions.
“I’m running in the last lap of life. But instead of relegating myself to deterioration, I try to regard myself as simply fraying at the edges.”