How Dame Joan Collins can save your marriage
JOAN Collins has revealed the secrets to a happy marriage are a younger husband, separate bathrooms and a spare room to which he can be banished if he snores.
Dame Joan, 84, wed Percy Gibson, 52, 16 years ago despite saying “never again” after her acrimonious split from fourth husband Swedish singer Peter Holm.
Yesterday she said: “We’re together 24/7 except when he snores, and I say ‘Darling, I think it’s best you sleep in the guest room tonight.’
“Michael Caine once said the secret to a happy marriage is separate bathrooms. I know most people don’t have that luxury but in our homes and whenever possible in hotels we try to keep to that rule. It does make a difference.
“Percy and I manage our lives together even down to household chores. We don’t have live-in staff. Of course we get irritated with each other but we are quick to say sorry. We compliment each other all the time but I’m also quick to point out if he’s getting a bit of a tummy and he will say if I’ve gone a bit OTT with the glitz.”
She likes nothing better than relaxing with her husband at home. She added: “Me without make-up and him unshaven.”
The age gap was gossip when they got together with Dame Joan quipping to a questioner who asked if she worried about it: “If he dies, he dies.” But she said the doubters have been silenced as the marriage endured. She said: “Marrying a younger man has the advantage of being with someone who has vigour, vitality, stamina and health, which certainly encourages me even further to keep in shape both physically and mentally.
“I’ve been active all my life and eat a healthy diet, so I am in good physical and mental health. Percy says sometimes he can’t keep up with my energy and zest for life, so I know men of my age could not.”
She believes that couples should lay down rules so both know where they stand. She would not tolerate abuse, claiming to have been raped by her first husband, actor Maxwell Reed.
Infidelity was another deal breaker after being betrayed by Anthony Newley, father of her children Tara and Sacha.
Dame Joan also has a daughter Katy from her marriage to American businessman Ron Kass.
ACTRESS Dame Joan Collins has been sharing the secrets of a happy marriage – one of which includes tactfully exiling your spouse to the spare room in case of snoring. She has recently celebrated her 16th anniversary with Percy Gibson.
Throughout her life Dame Joan has been cheerful and entertaining and is now a national treasure. Percy is a lucky man.