Why would I want to be 17 again? I’m 63 and lighting up Broadway

Gillean, who comes from East Lothian but lives in Los Angeles, was catapulted onto the fashion stage when she starred in a swimsuit campaign in her 60s. Now, she believes she’s living the best years of her life.

I had my first commercial modelling shoot when I was 52 and a grandma.

When I was a teenager, I would look at pictures of people like Twiggy and wish I was a model.

I started modelling at the suggestion of a photographer boyfriend, who put a portfolio together for me.

I wasn’t convinced, but went along with it because it was somewhat flattering!

I had worked behind the camera as a stylist for 26 years, but when an agency in Los Angeles signed me, and I started going to auditions, I quickly discovered castings are not for the fainthearted.

There are so many rejections. At first it was a bit disconcerting, and you wonder whether it’s your hair, face, body or whether you said something wrong. After a time it

becomes second nature and you realise you’re either right on the day or not. Simple as that.

My confidence has absolutely grown as I’ve gotten older. There are some situations which still paralyse me – I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t say that – but I hold, check, breathe and try to move on.

Most of the time, age is not a concern to me. Obviously, looking in the mirror, I can see I’m not 17 any more – but do I want to be? The great time is now.

My life has completely changed since I was 51. I live alone, keep up my house, travel, work, and managed to get myself on a massive billboard in New York’s Times Square at the age of 62.

I want to look back at my life and have a zillion stories to tell. There are still so many experiences to have and places to see.