IT’S IN THE I knew 2020 would be tough
Russell tellussellGrant tells MARION McMULLEN about his predictions for a very difficult year as his popular horoscopes return
WHEN astrologer Russell Grant gave his predictions for 2020 at a meeting a year ago, he forewarned it was going to be a tough 12 months. “I remember saying it was going to be a very difficult year because of the planets and Capricorn being challenged by Mars and Aries and people would feel isolated and like they were hibernating from the real world,” says Russell.
“I said there would be times when they would feel claustrophobic and imprisoned and they would have to dig deep for spiritual awareness.”
Russell also predicted that December would mark a turning point as the planets moved from Capricorn into Aquarius.
“We’ll be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” says Russell, “after all this time of being lonesome, lonely and isolated.”
He says people who attended the astrologers meeting in Blackpool still mention his accurate predictions for what lay ahead.
“I honestly didn’t know anything about the virus,” says Russell, “but I knew it was going to be a difficult year and when the virus came along everything suddenly made sense.”
Panto normally sees Russell starring on the stage at this time of year and he was offered six productions in March, but turned them all down because he rightly realised the virus might shut theatres.
“This is always a busy time for me because I am writing the stars for the year ahead and I normally do a short panto. Friends like Su Pollard and
Ruth Madoc come along and we go for a meal after the show and it is always lovely, but this year that is not going to happen.
“The last theatre I did was Edna in Hairspray in 2019 and I wrote a show about Ivor Novello that was performed the same year. Everything was in 2019. It is heartbreaking, but I think it could be a long time before theatres are back to normal.”
Russell turns 70 in February but says the landmark birthday is likely to be a quiet affair at his home in North Wales. He says: “We could still be in lockdown in Wales until people have had the vaccine but to be honest I’m not bothered. I’d rather be safe and well instead of not safe and ill. My Mum is now 96 and we are taking no chances.”
Russell has spent his time writing and working on plays as well as brushing up his calligraphy skills.
“I lost Dad in August and he used to work at Pinewood Studios and was an amazing set designer. He also had the most beautiful handwriting so a few years ago I took up calligraphy, but I’ve never had the chance to really do it until now,” says Russell.
He says there have been many important chapters in his life beginning with presenting the Queen Mum with her personal astrological chart horoscope in 1978 at the Ideal Homes Exhibition. It led to him being invited to write his first horoscopes in regional papers and readers have been loyal ever since.
He was the regular astrologer on BBC Breakfast Time when it launched in 1983 before later joining Richard and Judy on This Morning and then spending two years with
Fox Television in New York. His book, The Real Counties Of Britain, meanwhile, led to TV’s Russell Grant’s Postcards which took him all over the country.
“I sort of retired then and moved to Snowdonia but the next chapter of my life saw me going back to the theatre and Scarborough with Alan Aykbourn and then Strictly Come Dancing was massive for me.
“I never expected it to be so huge, but it was amazing and put me in the West End in musical theatre ... that’s where I first started when I was 14 or 15 years old doing drama.”
Russell says he feels like his career has now come full circle.
“I owe it all to the Queen Mum,” he says. “That photo of us went all over the world and I actually dedicated my first book, Your Sun Signs, to her.
“It led to me being invited to do horoscopes in regional papers and it means a lot to me to be back once more.”