Features

Oldie of the Year 2019

The Oldie Magazine’s annual awards - The Oldie of the Year (or ‘TOOTY’ for short) - returned on Tuesday 29th January in a lunch time ceremony which celebrated the best of the older generation.

Celebrity guests gathered for a three-course lunch at Simpson’s-in-the-Strand followed by a tongue in-cheek ceremony during which the nation’s favourite Oldies received an eclectic array of awards ranging from reverent to ridiculous.

The Lionel d’Or Oldie of the Year

Lionel Blair (90)

Lionel Blair ﬁrst graced our screens in the 60s and has been acting, dancing and entertaining his way to the present. In 2018 he entered his 10th decade in showbiz with panache, celebrating his 90th birthday in style by tap dancing on the radio. He takes home the Lionel d’Or Oldie of the Year Award simply because, in a dark world, he glows.

The Keep Calm and Carry On Award

Amanda Barrie (83)

Amanda Barrie made an unforgettable debut in the Carry On Film franchise 55 years ago as the nympho of the Nile in Carry On Cleo. Now, 60 years since the ﬁrst ﬁlm, she is one of many cast members to have enjoyed a long-running TV career. Appearing in last year’s Big Brother as one of the oldest contestants ever to be on the show, she takes home the Keep Calm and Carry On Award.

Oldie Who Has Seen It All Before and Worse

Lady Avon (98)

Lady Avon, who turns 100 next year, grew up and lived amongst some of the most interesting men and women of her day. Niece of Winston Churchill and widow of former Prime Minister Anthony Eden, her time spent at the epicentre of British politics makes her the consummate candidate for the Oldie Who Has Seen it All Before and Worse Award.

Oldie Signwriter of the Times

Margaret Calvert (82)

Margaret Calvert made an iconic contribution to British design 60 years ago when she designed the classic road signage system that still guides us around Britain’s motorways today. In 2018 she released her ﬁrst print ‘Woman at Work’, drawing on her emblematic designs, and is honoured for her services to Britain’s roads with the Oldie Signwriter of the Times Award.

The Oldie Creative Ape of the Year

Desmond Morris (90)

Desmond Morris is one of the last surrealist artists alive and has been a household name in Britain for nearly 60 years. His famous 1967 book, The Naked Ape, is just one of over 35 books he has written on human behaviour and zoology. Last year at 90, he had yet another book published and his own art show, making him this year’s winner of The Oldie Creative Ape of the Year Award.

Oldie Tigress We’d Like to Have to Tea

Judith Kerr (95)

Judith Kerr has written 35 children’s books, most notably her bestselling classic The Tiger Who Came to Tea which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018. At 95 she has just released a new story Mummy Time and has no plans to stop. She is crowned Oldie Tigress We’d Like to Have to Tea.

Oldie Silver Screen Stars of the Year

Leading Lady - Sheila Hancock (85) Leading Man - Peter Bowles (82)

Sheila Hancock and Peter Bowles are being jointly honoured as Oldie Silver Screen Stars of the Year, both having released new ﬁlms last year. Hancock’s starring role in Edie saw her scale one of Scotland’s most spectacular mountains, while Peter Bowles made history as the oldest leading man in British movie Together.