‘I’ve no plans to retire from acting’
WELSH actress Joanna Page has denied reports she’s quitting acting after taking on a new TV presenting role.
The 44-year-old actress from Treboeth, Swansea, well known for playing Stacey in smash-hit comedy series Gavin & Stacey and Judy in Christmas rom-com Love Actually, took to social media to quash reports she had decided to switch acting for TV presenting permanently as it’s better suited to her family life.
Sharing a photograph on Instagram from the set of new ITV programme, The Pet Show, which she co-hosts with Dermot O’Leary, Joanna wrote: “I’m loving my new career of presenting, but I have no plans to retire from acting, I’m enjoying doing it all!
“And you can directly quote me on that!”
Joanna and her husband, former Emmerdale star James Thornton, are parents to a daughter, Eva, eight, and sons, six-year-old Kit and Noah, four, and they’re also preparing to welcome their “surprise” fourth child later this year.
Speaking to MirrorOnline, Joanna explained why presenting television programmes fits in better with family life, saying: “I really enjoy presenting and it works a lot better with a family as you don’t have to go away for weeks on end.
“For the first six months after I had Eva I was away working filming two shows back to back.
“I had my mum looking after her on set but it was so tough as all I wanted to do was spend time with my new baby.
“Also, I just find presenting a lot more interesting.
“You’re always doing something different and I love just being myself and chatting to people.
The Pet Show is on ITV on Sunday at 5.35pm.