She’s grey, I’m gay.. we’d make top agony aunts
Pair form a special bond during frank chats about love and sex
Gran Iris Jones became the most talked-about OAP in Britain after stunning This Morning viewers with tales about her sex life.
The 80-year- old made presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield blush after graphically describing her X- rated romps with Egyptian toyboy lover Mohamed Ahmed Irbriham, 35.
But for one group of millennials, there was nothing remotely shocking about it – because sex tips from pensioners to 20-somethings is the theme for new BBC Scotland show Talking Sex with Gran.
While some viewersers might wince as the grans discuss iscuss weird locations for sex – a Portaloo and rocks cks beneath a lighthouse are re both mentioned – the he young people they y speak to don’t bat an n eyelid.
One of the stars of the he show is Priscilla Martin, tin, 89, who makes a friend riend for life in 21-year- oldd Chloe Mayhew.
The grandmother- of-f seven, from f East Kilbride, has only had one sexual partner – her late husband Robert, who died suddenly, aged 61, 20 years ago – but doesn’t flinch when Chloe tells her that she has had several female lovers.
Priscilla, who was married for 35 years, is open-minded and even jokes about setting up a business with Chloe selling vibrators on Shetland,nd, after discovering islanders buy more sex toys per head of population than anywhere else in Scotland.
Mum-of-four Priscilla said: “I don’t think I’ve ever talked so openly about sex before but I think it is importantt that younger people can talkk to older ones about this kindd of thing.
“Youngsters should be ablele to talk to their parents, get thehe truth and not be fobbed off with,th, ‘ I’ll tell you later.’
“I was about 11 when I heardard about sex for the first time and my mother drafted in a familymily friend to do it. I called her my aunt ie, though she wasn’tsn’t actually my auntie, she was a former teacher.
“I have to admit I did somethingthing similar. I toldt my oldest daughter then got her to tell the younger children when the time came. I wou lld probably do it differentlydifferent now.”
She added:a “I think it is generallygeneral better that people are more openop about their sexploits but thethere are things which are personalperson and private and that should be respected.”
The retired shop assistant is pleasedplease LGBT issues are not as tabootab as they were when she wasw growing up and is delighteddelig Chloe has found love with her girlfriend Elle. SheSh said: “When I was a youngyou girl, nobody ever reallyrea spoke about being gay.gay It is much better that peoplepeo can talk about this now.no Chloe and Elle are
When I ng was a you nobody girl, y ever reall spoke about being gay
lovely together. It’s great that people can just be themselves and don’t have to hide who they are.
“Gay marriage is fine – if you love someone, that’s an end of it. It doesn’t matter if you’re a woman and love a woman or you’re a man and love another man. It’s about love.
“It’s important that children are taught about sex and LGBT issues. I think around 11 is a good age to start.”
Priscilla, who admits she once ran out of an Ann Summers shop when she spotted someone from the church outside, loved being part of the groundbreaking programme, which airs on Thursday at 11pm.
She said: “It was fun learning new things about sex, especially modern words and expressions. I loved it. It was great fun and I might not run out of Ann Summers the next time.
“I made a good friend in Chloe. I tell people I have another granddaughter now and we are hoping to meet up to watch the show go out together.”
Chloe, who works in theatre, says meeting Prisci l la gave her the confidence to come out to her extended family at her 21st birthday party.
The actor and dancer, f rom Kirkintilloch, near Glasgow, said: “Priscilla is a wonderful, wonderful woman, I’ve never met anyone like her.
“When I told her I was gay, she wanted to know why I was I telling her because it doesn’t matter. She questioned how anyone could dislike someone because of who they love.
“Although I had come out to my immediate family before the show, my extended family had no idea I was gay. Priscilla’s reaction inspired me to tell everyone at my 21st.
“I hated myself when I realised I was gay. I wanted it to go away but now I’m living total ly as myself and feel empowered. It’s all thanks to the show and meeting Priscilla.”
Chloe, who is also a freelance photographer, added: “I ’ m not embarrassed speaking about sex. I don’t think anybody should be, especially women, but I was nervous talking about gay sex.
“I was taken aback by Priscilla’s kindness and her understanding of me as a gay woman.
“I never judge people but you worry when speaking to older people about gay sex in case they think it is wrong.”
Chloe, who spends hours talking to Priscilla on the phone, would love to do a TV show with her new friend.
She said: “We would make a great agony aunt duo.”