FOUR FAMOUS FACES SHARE THE CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES

From discovering shared passions to getting involved in the community, four famous faces share the changes in their lives…

“MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ON A MISSION TO MASTER BALLROOM DANCING TOGETHER”

OLIVIER AWARD WINNER JANIE DEE,

55, lives in london with her husband rupert wickham. they have two children, matilda, 21, and alfie, 12. she is starring in a new production of follies at the national theatre.

People say, “Make the most of the kids being young because it will go quickly” – i didn’t realise until now that it goes that quickly. matilda’s at university studying history of art – with acting, singing and comedy alongside. she’s such a strong girl, but i’m desperate to know she’s ok. i love going up to visit her, even if i do spend time doing her washing! luckily, i still have alfie at home – i think of him as my baby, but he’s about to be a teenager

and he can’t bear the idea of me thinking that.

Right now, success is about whether my family are Ok while i’m working.

Keeping everything balanced is a very fine line to tread. the other night i went home after a full day of rehearsals, made supper, cleared Up, put alfie to bed, had a chat with matilda, did the washing, looked at my lines – then i woke up six hours later ready to go again. but i feel excited that that is my life right now because i thrive on being challenged.

it’s hard to keep things alive when you’ve been married for quite a few years. i have to be careful that i’ve got enough energy for rupert and that we make time for each other. he is an actor too, but he became disillusioned by the fact he wasn’t getting great parts and retrained as a barrister. he also plays golf, does yoga and pilates – he has a full life, so i have to say,

“do you fancy lunch?” we don’t see enough of each other and that’s something we’ve got to look at.

Rupert and i have started taking ballroom dance classes – it’s such fun. it was rupert’s idea. he started doing it while i was away doing a play and i said, “oh, you’re doing it without me?” and he said, “yes because i want to be good for when you get back!” we go every tuesday and it’s wonderful. i’m looking forward to being able to go somewhere where we can try out our moves.

Starring in my new musical, follies, feels like the most wonderful next step. it’s about ex-showgirls who reunite 30 years after their last performance and the great thing is that it’s dealing with things i’m dealing with now – getting older and still feeling

like you can do things because they’re what you used to do. working with imelda staunton [janie’s co-star] has been brilliant. we did a photo shoot and they wanted civilised, glamorous shots – let’s just say there are a lot of photos you’ll never see because we’re laughing hysterically, usually because of something she’s said!