270 Preview

REAL LIFE: ‘Our
films are giving
hope to people
with dementia’
Big-value fortnightly treat
Spring salads
with a twist…
YOURS.CO.UK
ISSUE 270
Build
stronger
bones
Easy 5-step action plan
9 PAGES OF
COOKERY
& CRAFT
✓ Seasonal Jersey
Royal recipes
✓ Make teapot
herb planters
✓ Best buys
for the kitchen
NEW
Paul O’Grady:
‘I’ve been
such a fool…!’
APRIL 25-
MAY 8, 2017
£1.55
KEELEY HAWES:
The Durrells are back
and the animals are
the real stars
‘Get down Shep!’
55 years of
Blue Peter
pets
Figure-fixing
denim classics

Inside
COVER PIC:
Real life
9 Animal Magic
12 ‘Telling Seth’s story’
19 How to be a DJ
21 COVER Making a difference for
dementia sufferers
23 Talking Point: Trains
26 Bake Off’s Nancy Birtwhistle on
her high-tech challenge
Star chat
10 COVER Paul O’Grady
14 COVER Keeley Hawes
and The Durrells
16 COVER Blue Peter pets
24 Robson Green
146 Life lessons: Jane Asher
Your best life now!
29 Mole watch
30 COVER Wearing denim
34 Stronger hair plan
36 Spring health reboot
39 Diet recipe cards
42 COVER Build stronger bones
Good to know
61 Laughter is good
62 Trace your family tree
65 Your questions answered
67 Steam mops on test
69 Yours Retirement Services
71 Watching the pennies
72 Difficult conversations
Nostalgia
54 Blast from the past: aromas
57 Time of my life
Leisure time
89 COVER Cookery: Jersey Royals
91 COVER Spring salads
98 COVER Kitchen crafts
105 Garden tips
107 Secret Britain: Cambridge
108 Travel: Bangkok
111 The Suffolk Show
112 Yours Travel Club
Your favourites
47 Meeting Place
59 Roy Hudd
75 Friends of Yours
115 Free for every
reader: dahlia print
117 Carers in touch
125 Puzzles to test you
& prizes to win
137 Short story
145 Horoscopes
this fortnight...
£6,291
OF PRIZES
TO WIN
34
Strengthen
your locks
89
Jersey Royals
Leap into
spring
Welcome…
I’m so looking forward to Paul O’Grady’s new show, For
the Love of Animals – India. Of all wild animals, I’ve
always had a particular affection for elephants – they
seem so intelligent and compassionate – and I can’t
wait to see what Paul makes of them when he meets
the gentle giants of India. Reading his interview (p10)
I think it’s going to be a real tearjerker!
Talking of animals; we also take a fond look back at
55 years of Blue Peter pets (p16) and The Durrells’ star
Keeley Hawes (p14) tells us why the new series is
so packed with all creatures great and small, she
and her human co-stars are outnumbered!
Look out, too, in this issue for our new-look
‘Inspiring you’ section (p89-101). With nine
pages of craft and cookery – it’s packed with
fresh salad recipes, the lowdown on
cooking oils, tips for Jersey Royals
and seven different projects to pep
up your kitchen – plenty to keep you
busy then!
See you
next issue,
Keep in touch...
We want to hear your news and views
Write to
Yours magazine,
Media House,
Peterborough Business Park,
Peterborough
PE2 6EA
Email
yours@bauermedia.co.uk
WEBSITE
Find us at
yours.co.uk
FACEBOOK
facebook.com/
Yoursmagazine
36
Sharon Reid,
Editor
108
NEWSLETTER
Sign up now at
yours.co.uk
Explore exotic
Bangkok
72
Subscription query?
Call 01858 43 8884
or email bauer@subscription.co.uk
Advertising query?
Angela Whenman is here to help if you
have a query with an advert or offer in
Yours. Call 01733 468444 (Mon, Wed, Fri,
9-1pm, or leave a message at other times).
For other queries call 01733 468000.
Five steps
to difficult
conversations
How to wear
denim
Know
your
oils
Visit our website
yours.co.uk
YOURS DIGITAL EDITION
Find us at
greatmagazines.co.uk
Subscribe
to our digital
edition
visit
www.great magazines.co.uk
Jane Asher
146
Win £100!
Find Sammy
Squirrel…
For how to join
the search
see page 125
Free gift!
Subscribe
and get a
Lip Plumper
worth £24.99.
See page 130
97
30

star chat
‘Jerome
would be
my perfect
partner in
crime!’
By Alison James
Robson Green is
momentarily
lost for words –
something that
doesn’t happen
very often, as the muchloved
actor and TV presenter
loves a chat. The reason for
this lull in the conversation
is because he’s mulling over
which actor he’d choose to
join him on the Granchester
set in a guest role.
“Mark Rylance, perhaps?”
he ponders. “He’s absolutely
brilliant. But hold on
a minute – what about
Jerome...? It’d be amazing
if he wanted to do it. We
haven’t worked together for
years. It’s a great idea.”
Indeed it is – but for series
four, perhaps. Series three
24
Robson as Geordie
and James Norton as
Sidney, Grantchester’s
YOURS n EVERY crime-fighting FORTNIGHT duo
Robson Green tells why
he’d love his former sidekick,
Jerome Flynn, to appear in ITV’s
period crime drama, Grantchester
of the ‘cop ‘n’ clergyman’
six-parter, co-starring James
Norton, is already going out
and is more popular than
ever. Is Robson surprised by
its success?
“Yes and no,” he replies.
“When we first started I
didn’t know whether it
would be popular – a period
drama featuring a detective
and a vicar who solve
crimes in this quaint English
village of Grantchester in
the Fifties... But the viewers
have really taken it to their
hearts and it’s going down
well in the US,
too. I think this
series is the
best yet. The
writing’s good,
the production
team is at
the top of its
game, the
characters are
engaging and likeable plus
there’s a real warmth and
charm to it. But there’s this
undercurrent of something
deeply uncomfortable, too.
Whether it be racism, bigotry
or whatever; the darkness
that existed and the denial
people lived in in the Fifties.
In this series, the stories are
grittier and more shocking
than ever before and both
my character, Geordie, and
Sidney, played by James,
are going through major
changes in their own lives.”
Such as?
“As far as Geordie is
concerned, it’s a case of
him putting everything
he holds dear at risk,”
Robson explains. “He’s
paralysed with the burden
of guilt and obligation
and has an overwhelming
sense of routine. He feels
his marriage is stale and
Robson has worked (and
sang!) with Jerome before
but would love him to join
the Grantchester cast
redundant. But he’s looking
at the wrong aspects of the
relationship and thinks the
grass is greener – which it
never is.”
Off screen, Robson (52)
has the reputation of being
the production’s ‘joker’.
Is this true?
“It is,” he admits. “When
we were filming series two,
I got a big telling off from the
producer because I threw
a bucket of cold water over
James while we filming
a swimming scene and
he went under, although
fortunately he was fine.
Then during the filming of
this series, I was ordered
off set for telling James old
Tommy Cooper jokes. One in
particular really got to him –
Tommy goes into a pet shop
and asks for a wasp.
‘We don’t have any,’ the
assistant replies. ‘Well there’s
one in the window,’ Tommy
protests. Classic!”
It’s the way you tell ‘em,
Robson!
n Grantchester is on Sunday
evenings on ITV.
PICS: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Your lifestyle has a huge impact on
how healthy your bones are, says
health writer Karen Evennett
Your bone health shouldn’t be taken
lightly. Without healthy bones to
support you, it isn’t possible to lead
an active life. While there are some
things which affect your risk of brittle
bones or osteoporosis that you can’t change,
such as your age, gender and genes, there are
some simple lifestyle tweaks that could help to
support your skeleton and reduce your risk of
falls and fractures.
Build
better
BONES
DOSE UP ON SUNSHINE
Your risk of osteoporosis is higher if you cover up all
summer, according to Sarah Leyland, Osteoporosis
Nurse Consultant at the National Osteoporosis
Society (www.nos.org.uk). “You need a healthy dose
of summer sun to make Vitamin D, which is vital for
bone health, among other things. But even if you bare
your arms and get outside most days, Public Health England
recommends that you top up with a daily 10mg (400iu)
Vitamin D supplement.”
Look for a supplement that contains Vitamin D3. Your
body absorbs this type most easily, because
it’s closest to the type it naturally
manufactures from sunlight. Fat
helps your body to make the best
use of Vitamin D, so an oil-based
supplement such as Fultium Daily
D3 (£3.99 for a month’s supply)
might be a good choice.
n Available from pharmacies.
DID YOU
KNOW?
Osteoporosis
usually has no
symptoms until a
fracture occurs
FOCUS ON CALCIUM
The mineral we all associate with
bone health is calcium. Dairy
is the most obvious source with
one 200ml glass of milk, plus a pot
of yogurt and a cheese omelette
adding up to the 700mg you
need every day.
“Be aware though,
that cheese is acidic
and eating it, along with
other animal proteins,
can rob you of more
calcium than it provides,
Do the calcium maths
One tin of
sardines
(200mg)
so try not to eat it every day,” says
nutritionist Marilyn Glenville
author of Osteoporosis – how
to prevent, treat and reverse
it (£10.99, Kyle Books, www.
marilynglenville.com). Instead,
choose organic live natural yogurt
which is alkaline and has the
advantage of being full of bacteria
that is beneficial to your body.
“Make your body more alkaline
and calcium-friendly by eating plenty
of fruit and vegetables,” says Marilyn.
stay strong
A portion of 10 almonds
Two dried A small tin of A portion
+ + + + + = 700mg
basmati rice
(50mg
figs (100mg) baked beans
of tofu
(50mg)
(100mg)
(200mg) of calcium
WATCH WHAT YOU
DRINK – AND WHEN
“Caffeine, alcohol and sugar
are all acidic and lead to
calcium being leached from
your bones,” says Marilyn.
“Phosphoric acid in fizzy
drinks also tells your body to
release calcium from bones.
“Tea is not as bad as coffee
bone-wise, but the tannin
binds to calcium and other
minerals in your digestive
tract, preventing you from
absorbing them.
“Wait at least an hour after
mealtimes before having
a cuppa.”
WALK THIS WAY
Walking counts as weight-bearing
exercise, making a demand on your
skeleton and also working against
gravity. “This helps to build bone
density,” says Marilyn. “If you want
to do something more vigorous, try
jogging, dancing, step-climbing or
cross-training.”
Swimming doesn’t have the same
bone-building effects as weightbearing
exercise because the water
is taking your weight for you, but it
can help to strengthen your back,
and that’s important to prevent rib
fractures. “Yoga and pilates are worth
trying because they keep you flexible
and strengthen the core muscles in
your abdomen, another way of keeping
your balance,” says Marilyn.
If you already have osteoporosis you
may be nervous about exercising in case
of a fracture. But it’s important for your
overall health and your bones to stay active.
700mg of calcium is the amount
you need in your diet every day
AVOID
SPINACH
AND
RHUBARB – BOTH
CONTAIN OXALIC
ACID WHICH
REACTS WITH
CALCIUM IN
THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM AND
STOPS IT
BEING
ABSORBED”
DID YOU
KNOW?
1 in 2 women
over 50 will break a
bone as a result of
osteoporosis
Walking and Tai Chi are ideal activities.
Avoid workouts that put stress on your
bones – these include high-impact activities
such as running or aerobics. Avoid jarring
or twisting your body, lots of bending and
abrupt or sudden movements.
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
43

{
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Inspiring
YOU
craft
PIMP UP
YOUR
POTS!
If terracotta
plant pots don’t
match the colour
scheme in your
kitchen, give
them a makeover
with decoupage.
Simply find some
pretty patterned
paper or tissue
paper of your
choice and cut
into squares,
about 4cm
(1½in)sq. Glue
the paper squares
onto your pot
using decoupage
glue. It doesn’t
have to be neat
but the squares
need to overlap.
Once you’ve
covered the
whole surface of
the pot, carefully
brush over
with a layer of
decoupage glue
and leave to dry.
Add a pretty
plant and place
on your kitchen
windowsill.
{
+ +
easy crafting tasty recipes genius ideas
Teapot herb planters
Give old ceramic teapots and jugs a
whole new lease of life!
Time: 10 mins Skill level: Beginner
MATERIALS
Old or unwanted jugs or teapots
Gravel or small stones
Compost
Herbs such as rosemary, thyme,
mint or basil
1 To begin, you need to make sufficient
drainage for the herbs so fill the base
of the teapots with a fairly thick layer of
stones or gravel.
2 Next add the compost then carefully
place the herbs inside the pot.
3 Pack your pot with soil. This can be
quite messy so use a paintbrush to
remove any excess from the pot. Water
regularly and remove any excess
water by carefully pouring it out from
the spout.
{
7 easy projects to
Spruce up
your kitchen
Vintage
chalkboard
Turn an old tray into a
practical noticeboard
Time: 30 mins (plus drying
time) Skill level: Beginner
MATERIALS
Coarse steel wool
Decorative old metal
serving tray
Latex primer
Latex chalkboard paint
1 Rub coarse steel wool over
the flat surface of the tray.
2 Prime the metal with a latex
primer made for galvanised
surfaces (ordinary primer will
just flake off).
3 After the primer dries, lightly
sand the surface.
4 Wipe off any dust and apply
a coat of the latex chalkboard
paint and allow to dry.
5 To mount, either hang one
of the handles onto a nail or
attach a picture hanger to the
back of the tray.
fun to make
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
TRY USING OLD
TEACUPS OR
BOWLS FOR
PLANTING
SMALLER HERBS
OR SEEDLINGS
Pom-pom pot stand
Rest your hot pots and pans on this pretty
and protective mat
Time: 3-4 hours Skill level: Beginner
MATERIALS
An assortment of differently coloured wools
7cm (3in) pom-pom maker
A 26cm (10in) diameter circle of anti-slip
rug canvas
Darning needle
1 Make your first pom-pom by following the
instructions on the packet. Try to make them
as thick as possible, using as much wool
as you can.
2 Once you have tied your pom-pom in the
middle with a length of wool, leave the
ends long.
3 Continue to make enough pom-poms to
fill the rug canvas.
4 Once you think you have enough, it’s time
to attach them to the rug canvas. Take one
pom-pom and thread one of the lengths
of wool onto the darning needle. Pull this
through the rug canvas in the position you
want it to be. Then do the same with the
Tie-dye tea towel
Give your kitchen a cool coastal feel
with these bright blue tea towels
Time: 30 mins (plus drying time)
Skill level: Beginner
MATERIALS
Plain white cotton tea towels
Blue fabric dye
Plastic basin
Rubber bands
Rubber gloves
1 Iron your tea towels first to get
rid of any creases.
2 To make the circular ring
patterns, make small pinches in
the fabric of the tea towel and
other wool length.
5 Tie the two pieces of threaded wool together in a
knot to secure and trim. Continue to do the same with
all your pom-poms, working in circles until the canvas
is completely filled.
secure them with rubber bands.
To make bigger rings, secure larger
amounts of the fabric with the
elastic bands.
3 Follow the instructions on
your fabric dye and prepare it
in the plastic basin. Once ready,
submerge the tea towels and
leave them in the dye for the
recommended amount of time.
If you want to create a paler colour,
take them out sooner.
4 Follow the drying instructions
but be sure to keep the bands
secure until the towel is
completely dry.
5 Once dry, give them another iron
to remove the crinkles and they’re
ready to use!
Tip: To make a striped pattern, roll the tea towel
into a tube shape and wrap the bands about 5cm (2in)
apart, all the way along
PICS: BAUER, DECOUPAGE PLANT POTS, © LOUPE IMAGES/HOLLY JOLIFFE,
KNITTED POT HOLDER, T© LOUPE IMAGES/CAROLINE ARBER
98 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT 99

DAYS
Dressed up or dressed down,
denim is an easy-to-wear
wardrobe staple, says
Fashion Editor
Michelle Nightingale
THE SKIRT
Team with a jumper, tights
and boots in winter, or with
a pretty top and wedges
in summer – a trusty denim
skirt will last years. For
the most flattering fit
look for A-line styles
that fall to the knee.
Kerry wears: Jumper,
£12.50, 8-24, M&S |
skirt, £26, 8-22, M&Co |
necklace, £12, M&Co
fashion edit
The jacket
For a smart choice, opt
for a blazer-style denim
jacket or a sleeveless
number like this one. Or,
go for a casual yet classic
denim jacket and wear
over a pretty floral dress
for a look that will see you
through the year.
Selina wears: Sleeveless
jacket, £100, 8-20, Laura
Ashley | top, £35, 6-22, Next
| trouser, £30, 8-20, Wallis
THE SHIRT
We love a denim or chambray
shirt and this one proves that
you can be smart and elegant in
denim. Ruffles are also a big style
statement this year so this blouse
ticks all the boxes!
Kerry wears: Blouse, £60, 8-18,
Laura Ashley | jeans, £15, 8-22,
Peacocks
The jeans
Bootcut styles work perfectly
for any occasion and the fit
is flattering and slimming.
When you try them on, wear
your shoes to check the
length’s OK.
Selina wears: Top,
£10, 8-22, George
at Asda | jeans,
£20, 8-22, M&Co
| wedges, £14,
3-8, Matalan
THE
DRESS
Another versatile
wardrobe staple that
can be worn all year
round. Play around
with different shades
of denim and different
sleeve lengths, but
for a slimming fit go
for a belted style that
finishes at the knee.
Selina wears: Shirt
dress, £20, 8-20,
Matalan
❤
FASHION EDITOR
LO VES
Stockists: George at Asda 0800 952 0101; Laura Ashley 0333 200 8009; M&Co 0333 202 0720; M&S 0333 014 8555; Matalan 0333 004 4444;
Next 0333 777 8000; Peacocks 0292 027 0222; Wallis 0344 984 0266
PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST DANIELLE ELMES-HUGHES;
HAIR AND MAKE-UP SARAH JANE GREEN
30 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
31

GOOD to KNOW
MEET
OUR
EXPERTS
Elizabeth
Kuhnke is a
communications
skills specialist
and bestselling
author,
www.kuhnke
communication.
com
Deborah
McPhilemy is
a relationship
empowerment
coach and author
72
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
5 STEPS FOR DEALING WITH
Difficult
conversations
How to raise tricky issues with loved ones By Lizzy Dening
Tricky conversations are a
natural part of life. It can be
tempting to put off awkward
chats – whether it’s mentioning
to an elderly parent that they
might need some form of care, or telling
grown-up children that you’re getting a
divorce. But it’s so important to be honest
and open with our loved ones and also to
realise that there will never be a perfect
time to raise an issue.
It’s common to leave things unsaid
because we’re worried about upsetting our
family or friends, but getting things out in
the open can make everyone feel better –
and for all you know, they may have been
worrying about it, too.
“Talking to family and friends about
potential ‘what ifs…’ before a crisis
happens will help ensure their wishes are
acknowledged and ensure safeguards can
be put in place,” says Elizabeth Kuhnke, a
communications skills specialist and bestselling
author.
Whatever the topic you need to broach,
there are five general steps that can help.
‘Getting
things out
in the open
can make
everyone
feel better
– they may
have been
worrying
about it, too’
Plan ahead
1 It might help to
reframe the moment in
your mind beforehand as
a positive one. “Approach
the conversation as though
it is a gift,” says Elizabeth.
“You are concerned about
the welfare and well-being
of your loved one, and you
want to come up with the
best solution for everyone
involved.”
Be clear in advance
what you’d like to say –
you can even practice it
out loud before you go.
Then set up a meeting
somewhere private
and comfortable and,
assuming you’re both calm
and relaxed, you can raise
the topic. “Start with a nice
chat, then open with:
‘I’d like to talk to you about
something important,
is that OK?’,” says
Deborah McPhilemy, a relationship
empowerment coach and author.
“Think about how what you’re saying
will affect them. You might want to
add. ‘This may be hard for you to
hear’, or ‘this is difficult for me to
talk about’, to demonstrate that you
understand their feelings and that it’s
a sensitive topic for you both.”
Offer options
2 and give examples
The most important thing is to make
it feel like a two-way discussion,
rather than a lecture. Ask what your
loved one wants and offer choices
when possible.
“Be clear and concise,” says
Elizabeth, “and if it’s appropriate to
the conversation, give examples.
If, for example, you’re worried that
the time has come for your parents
to stop driving, you could back up
your concern with proof, ‘Dad, when
you were driving this morning, I
noticed that you ran through a red
light’. Explain the situation in a
straightforward, factual way.”
Listen carefully
3 “Allow your friend
or relative to express
how they feel and try to
listen without becoming
defensive, although this
can be a challenge!” says
Deborah. “Once they’ve
said their piece, reassure
and comfort them. You
could say, ‘I wish this didn’t
have to happen and things
could be different. But let’s
try to make the best of a
bad situation.’ A hug goes
a long way too.” Check
your body language to
make sure you don’t seem
defensive or hostile. Try to
look relaxed yet attentive,
keeping eye contact and
nodding and smiling
where appropriate.
Dealing with
4 their emotions
Sensitive topics often prompt strong
reactions, so you might need to steel
yourself for an outburst. “Emotion is
just energy being released, so don’t
be fearful of it, or get caught up in it,”
‘The most important thing
is to make it feel like a
two-way discusssion’
says Deborah. “If your loved one reacts
emotionally, just allow it to happen. Let
them feel what they need to feel and
then validate it. For example: ‘I see you
are upset,’ or ‘you seem very sad.’
“Whatever you do, never say: ‘I
5 Consider
the outcome
If your loved one refuses
to talk, ask if there’s
someone they might
prefer to talk to instead,
such as another friend or
relative, or a professional
counsellor or doctor,
depending on the issue.
As nice as it would be
“If having
a face-to-face
conversation fills
you with dread...
...write a note to the person instead,” says
Elizabeth. “When writing you can choose
your words without getting thrown
off course by emotional reactions.
Plus it gives them time to process
what you’ve said and decide
on their reply.”
understand how you feel.’ Even if
you’ve been through the exact same
situation, no two people feel exactly
the same and you might make them
feel alienated. Instead consider, ‘I can
only imagine how angry/sad/frustrated
this makes you feel’ and then you
could tell a similar story from your own
experience if need be.”
to wrap everything up
with one chat, you may
need to leave some issues
unresolved for a time.
“Some people take longer
than others to process
information so before you
leave, reassure them that
you are there for them,
you love them and that
if they want to talk more
about it you’re available.”
It’s more than possible
that, despite your best
efforts, you don’t get
the end results you were
hoping for. “Don’t think of
this opportunity as
‘The Conversation’ but
rather as an ongoing
series of conversations,”
says Elizabeth.
PICS: MASTERFILE, SHUTTERSTOCK

‘The
animals
are the
real
stars!’
Actress Keeley Hawes chats about the new series of
The Durrells, just started on ITV, and why the
Corfu-living clan remind her of her own family
By Alison James
It may boast a cast
of supremely
talented actors
and be set on the
beautiful Greek
island of Corfu but as
ITV’s The Durrells is
an adaptation of the
late Gerald Durrell’s
memoir, My Family
and Other Animals, it’s
only fitting that it’s the
animals taking centre
stage in series two.
“People love the
animals,” says Keeley
Hawes who plays mother-
of-four Louisa Durrell.
“There is one scene in this
series where I had to take
a puppy off young Gerry
and for the rest of the scene
I’m holding it. There was
a discussion because the
director said, “Nobody’s
going to listen to anything
you’re saying,” and I knew
that! Even with the other
cast, if there’s a scene and
someone else is holding a
cute puppy, or hedgehog,
or any animal, no one is
looking at you. This show is
not about the actors; we’re
way down the list, and that’s
quite good!”
Animals are hardly the
most co-operative of
co-stars, though? “It is
difficult, but it’s always
funny,” Keeley goes on.
“In this series we have
an episode where it rains
endlessly, so Gerry wants to
bring the animals into the
house because he thinks
they look depressed. So
we have the donkey and
the pelicans in the house,
hedgehogs, the dog, goats
and a chicken. . . When you
read it in the script, you
think, ‘That’s going to look
fantastic’ but filming it isn’t
easy – ten hours later we’re
still filming! Then I was
filming a scene with lots
of dialogue and my hands
were on the table. A chicken
decided to come over and
just sit on my hands! You
just have to carry on and act
like you are used to having
chickens sitting on your
hands while you’re talking
to people!
“You can train an animal
as much as you like, but
you can’t train it to tell you
when it needs the bathroom,
so there’s lots of dustpans
and brushes and it’s a rather
smelly set!
“The animals are such a
massive part of the series,
though, and this time the
quota has gone through the
roof. Last series there were
barely any in comparison but
Inset, clockwise from above: Louisa (Keeley)
with Leslie (Callum Woodhouse) and a donkey
friend; Keeley with husband, actor Matthew
Mcfadyen; with her on-screen family, Josh
O’Connor, Daisy Waterstone and Milo Parker
this series is full of them.’”
Does Keeley (41) have a
favourite creature? “I liked
the hedgehog,” she smiles.
“That was really cute and
very sweet. I’ve never really
seen a hedgehog up close
like that before. The pelicans
are beautiful, too. Last year
they were babies but they’re
fully-grown now. They are
called Peli-can and Peli-can’t!
I have more to do with them
this time – at one point I had
to take one for a walk on
a lead. I also have a oneway
conversation with the
seagull called Steven Seagal
plus we have magpies who
have a starring role, canaries
and a falcon.”
Animals apart, we get the
impression that love may be
in the air for Louisa – with
charming new Englishman
Hugh, perhaps?
“Louisa is still slightly
heartbroken after her
doomed relationship with
Swedish goat herder Sven
from the last series, but there
is an attraction between
her and Hugh, who has
Greek grandparents and
who owns an olive oil press
in Corfu,” Keeley replies.
“Anyway, Louisa and Hugh
try to make some money.
‘I was filming a
scene and my hands
were on the table
when a chicken just
decided to come
over and sit on them’
They go to market and that
ends in disaster! They try to
introduce Corfu to Spotted
Dick, Toad in the Hole and
Scotch Eggs – nobody gets
it! In series one, the Durrells
were discovering and
exploring and getting used to
life on Corfu but now they’re
trying to make life work for
them.”
Keeley, who’s married to
actor Matthew Mcfadyen,
says she thinks the series
is so popular because
star chat
– in addition to
the animals and
stunning setting - it
reflects family life.
“You see people
having stand up
rows and running
away from home, or
whatever they are
doing. It’s all very
real. It’s so close to
real life sometimes
that it makes me
laugh out loud
when I read it – and
definitely reminds
me of my own
family. Our brilliant
writer, Simon Nye,
has four children and you
can tell. It’s written in a way
that children and adults
can respond to. It’s a period
drama and the attention to
detail is extraordinary but, at
the same time, it’s not a roddown-your-back
costume
drama where everyone is
behaving impeccably all the
time. It’s real life.”
For Keeley, an added
bonus to starring in The
Durrells, which has already
been commissioned for a
third series, is that her four
screen children and the
three she has in real life have
become close.
“My family came out
while we were filming in
Corfu and they were very
impressed by my Durrell
family,” she reveals. “They
think they are very cool
while my on-screen family
are very kind and generous
with my own family. They
all get on very well. We all
go out for dinner and things.
It’s really, really good.”
As is series two of The
Durrells!
n The Durrells is on Sunday
evenings on ITV. If you missed
the first episode you can catch
up on the ITV hub at ITV.com
14 YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT
YOURS n EVERY FORTNIGHT 15
PICS: ITV, CAMERA PRESS, REX/SHUTTERSTOCK, GETTY IMAGES