Living to 90 might sound like something to celebrate, but veteran actress Susan Hampshire, who will reach the milestone next May, sees longevity rather differently.

Hampshire believes that her generation is taking up precious space that should be reserved for the young.

During the Abigail’s Party VIP night at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre, she tells me: ‘I’m hoping I’m not going to hang along for too much longer, that’s all I can say.’

Living to 90 might sound like something to celebrate, but veteran actress Susan Hampshire, who will reach the milestone next May, sees longevity rather differently.

Hampshire believes that her generation is taking up precious space that should be reserved for the young.

During the Abigail’s Party VIP night at London’s Harold Pinter Theatre, she tells me: ‘I’m hoping I’m not going to hang along for too much longer, that’s all I can say.’

‘Well, a lot of us may not be that wise. We just might think we’re wise, but we might be talking a lot of rubbish,’ she says.

Hampshire has had a tumultuous time in the past decade, caring for her second husband, Sir Eddie Kulukundis, during his 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s until his death in 2021. She had been married to the theatre impresario for 40 years.

‘I have never even thought about remarrying,’ she admits. ‘He only died five years ago, and I enjoy every minute of his memory. He was so sweet and he was very kind.’

The actress has one son, film producer Christopher Granier-Deferre, from her first marriage to French director Pierre Granier-Deferre.

Despite her pessimistic opinion on long life, Hampshire is still acting and will reprise her role as aristocrat Lady Carteret in the second season of Channel 5’s remake The Forsytes. ‘I mean, if something comes along and I’m offered it, then that’s a nice surprise,’ she says. ‘But obviously most people think I’m dead.’

Read More: EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: We’re stealing oxygen from young, says 89-year-old Susan Hampshire