Actress Alison Steadman, 72, shares her passions and memories. She lives in London with partner Michael Elwyn and has two sons
“How do I relax? With a large Gin & tonic!”
what is your earliest acting memory?
I used to impersonate people when I was a child. at school, I used to impersonate the teachers and I’d impersonate the scottish woman next door. I was fascinated by her accent because I thought the whole world spoke with a liverpool accent! then I started impersonating hylda baker when she was on television – and about a year ago I ended up playing her. It was great to finally come full circle.
did you have a plan B? I always loved animals, so there was a phase when I wanted to be a vet. I also thought I’d like to be an archaeologist – my house in liverpool was built on a tip in the 1930s so if you dug around in the garden you’d find victorian ink pots and bits of broken china, and I used to love that. but topping that was always acting. as soon as I realised you could do that as a career, I thought, “that’d be good!”
when are you happiest? When I’m with my sons. Family is so important. I was lucky to have kind and loving parents. We didn’t have a lot of money, but that didn’t matter, we had love – and I’ve passed that onto my children.
what’s the best thing about being a grandma? It’s so lovely. I’ve longed for this for years but I haven’t said anything. to see my son with [my grandson] Freddy, having fun and making him laugh is a joy.
why did you want to get involved with Marie curie’s great daffodil appeal? they cared for my mum when she had pancreatic cancer. It’s very frightening to be diagnosed with a cancer that can’t be treated – you’re basically just on the road to dying. the hospital sent her to the marie curie hospice and marie curie were wonderful. they were kind and kept her going. If she hadn’t had that, I think she would’ve died sooner.
what do you do to relax? I have a large gin and tonic! and my son’s partner sends me pictures of Freddy all the time. When I see his smiling face or watch a video of him, that helps me through a lot.
what’s your biggest pet hate? Plastic – the waste. our oceans are chock-a-block with plastic. We are doing something about it, but not enough. I haven’t used a plastic bag in six years, I always carry a reusable bag with me wherever I go.
what’s your greatest achievement? I said to my youngest son a few months ago – and this is true – that two of the happiest days of my life were when my two sons were born. When the baby is put in your arms, you can’t get better than that. what’s your best quality? I try to have empathy, but I’m not perfect. sometimes we need to appreciate the little things. the other day I had to leave my house at 6am for filming, I was in such a rush, but when I left the front door, I heard the birds singing and I thought, “I’m just going to stand here for a minute.” I just stood on my own in the dark and listened to the birds and it was the nicest thing.
what’s your favourite fashion item?
I usually wear padded jackets but I recently bought a proper coat for the first time in a while and I love it! It’s soft wool and a nice turquoise colour.
what’s at the top of your bucket list?
I love art and my partner, michael, does too. We love going to galleries and exhibitions. but there are galleries in london that we haven’t been to. I want to go to hogarth’s house because he’s my favourite artist. so I’m going to make a list of all the places I want to visit, and actually go to them. Alison Steadman is supporting Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal. Show your support by donating and wearing a daffodil pin, and help Marie Curie be there for people with a terminal illness and their loved ones. Visit the website