My parents instilled in me that life was going to be very difficult and that I'd have to work for everything.

Certainly there are dozens of over-50 actresses who look great: Sophia Loren, Susan Sarandon, Ursula Andress, Stefanie Powers, Raquel Welch, Barbara Eden, Joanna Lumley, Linda Gray - the list is endless, and these are just the actresses! I have many friends in their 60s, 70s and 80s, not in the limelight, but who all look absolutely stunning.

I don't buy into you're on the slag heap when you're 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 or whatever.

When I was at school, I was terrible at algebra and arithmetic, but I was always the best at English and literature. And acting, of course.

Dynasty was the opportunity to take charge of my career rather than waiting around like a library book waiting to be loaned out.

I never think about age. I believe your age is totally how you feel. I've seen women of thirty-five who are old and people of seventy-five who are young. As long as I look after myself physically, mentally and emotionally, I'll stay young.

Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant unless, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine.