Ruth Madoc on the healing power of laughter
Actress Ruth Madoc (75), set to star in Calendar Girls The Musical, chats about the joys of village life, Hi-de-Hi! and the healing power of laughter
Push the boundaries
Being open to new challenges is a good thing. It can be too easy to play it safe and stay in your comfort zone. I’ve just filmed an ITV series in which a group of us pensioners try out crazy gadgets and develop new skills. One of them was trying out a £200,000 Tesla electric car. Charming John Sergeant was driving and wonderful Lionel Blair was a passenger with me. Then the car broke down on the M25 and the heavens opened. We were trying to charge it up and it started thundering and lightning. It was a bit scary. In the end we got a taxi home, but it was quite an experience!
Gladys changed my life!
I have a deep affection for my Hi-de-Hi! character, Gladys Pugh. Landing the role in 1980 was a game-changer, catapulting me to stardom almost overnight. I was 38, I’d had my children by then and I was ready for it. It was thrilling to be part of such a successful comedy. I still get recognised from that show. I’ve remained close friends with Su Pollard, (chalet maid Peggy) over the years and some of the other Yellowcoats.
Humour is a great healer
The worst time of my life was when both my parents (Iris and George) died within three weeks of one another. As I was an only child, I felt utterly bereft. But my work and laughter saw me through it. I was in the comedy Little Britain around that time and filming scenes with David Walliams and Matt Lucas was very healing. They are so funny, and even though I didn’t understand half of the script, it was one of my favourite jobs.
Good neighbours are so precious
My second husband John and I live in a wonderful little village in South Wales. We moved there 16 years ago after my parents died. My two grown-up children (a daughter and a son) had flown the nest so I decided to go back home to be ‘cwtch’ which is a Welsh word meaning to be cuddled and loved. We love village life. When John was ill a few years ago, I was hundreds of miles away in panto, and he had to be looked after. I was contracted to do the show, but our neighbours were absolutely amazing, and day in, day out, people would pop in to see him, bringing him meals and running errands.
A touring life for me
I’ve had more work since the age of 60 than I’ve ever had and am about to start in a UK tour of Gary Barlow’s Calendar Girls The Musical. I sing a bit and I can hold a tune. I absolutely love touring. I am a bit of a gypsy and am very lucky because my husband was in the Army for 25 years and is used to living in different places and he always comes with me.
I love young people
I find that being around youthful energy gives me ideas and fires me up. I love spending time with my five grandchildren when I can and I gave up panto four years ago because I really wanted to spend Christmases with them. Their antics always bring me joy.
■ Ruth is touring the UK in Calendar Girls The Musical from August 16. For more details visit www. calendargirls themusical.com
■ She was talking to Jane Oddy