Welcome, Russell
meet top uk astrologer, russell Grant, as he prepares to join the my Weekly team next week
Welcome to My Weekly! What can our lovely readers expect from you each week?
“Well firstly, thank you. it’s so lovely to be joining my Weekly. i’m chuffed and thrilled to bits. my mother has been buying your mag for years, and before her my nan, Alice. you’re like a family member coming back into our household. my mum is now making it her mission to have every lady in the family buy your mag, too! What can readers expect? Well – we’re in a time of change right now and readers are looking for stability and familiarity – but i don’t control the stars, i interpret them. With me, what you see is what you get.”
Our readers can get personal every week, too, with your special “Ask Russell” element…
“indeed, i’m thrilled with this. Way back when i was on breakfast tv there was no social media and this was something we’d do then – we’d have viewers ring in and chat and i’m delighted that’s coming back. it’s really lovely to keep in touch with people.”
You’ve been involved with astrology for a long time, haven’t you?
“yes, since i was 14 years old. it became such a passionate hobby and i was intrigued with the whole of humanity being divided into 12 signs. if you grab a copy of my new book, Art of Astrology, , an adult colouring book which went number one within 24 hours, there’s a big section at the beginning explaining all about sun sign readings and personal readings. your best reading always comes from providing your time, date and place of birth. it’s much more personal – otherwise your reading is based on your sign and suited to lots of people with that sign.”
Tell us what you get up to when you’re not reading the stars.
“i’m a massive supporter of Alzheimer’s research uk and dementia uk. i was a carer for my nan in the 1990s and there was just no help back then. she died at the wonder ful age of 99 years and six months. it was then i knew i was determined to find a cure. i’m totally behind it and dedicate a third of my life to raising money in any way i can. i watched my nan go from a strapping, healthy woman to a shadow of her former self. back then people often wrote these things off as old age, but at least now it’s more recognised.”
What’s on your own horizon for the rest of 2016?
“i’m finishing up my next book, 101 places that make up britain and ireland. in october, i’m directing sir noel coward’s blithe spirit. i’m also involved in teaching dance on p&o cruises since my stint with flavia on strictly. did you know our dance and fitness dvd sold 50,000 copies and is one of the most successful fitness dvds out? it’s very much for beginners and we like to think of ourselves as people’s champions, as we won the people’s champions Glitterball in 2012. i’ve done West end shows since, plus dance teaching and dvd – it’s brought a lot of success!”
And of course there’s another personal fitness success…
“yes! i’m 65 years old, fighting fit and i go to the gym six days a week! i was 27 stone when i started strictly and finished at 16 stone! it really did give me back my life and my health. it was the most magical time!”