Dame Joanna Lumley has described sex scenes in acting as 'pathetic', reflecting on her own experiences in the industry. The 77-year-old star, known for her role as Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, made the comments while discussing her new ITV travel series, Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure.
Lumley, who began her career as a model in the 1960s, recalled that 'we all had to take our tops off' during that era. She expressed her disdain for such scenes, calling them 'pathetic' and noting that she finds them unnecessary in modern television and film.
The actress also spoke about her travels for the new series, which takes her from Indonesia to Jordan via India, Zanzibar and Madagascar. She described her love for exploring new places, saying 'I can't bear the thought of a year without a suitcase'.
Reflecting on her family history in India, where she was born during the British Raj, Lumley acknowledged the brutality of colonialism. 'The brutalism shocked me very much,' she said, while distancing herself from her ancestors' roles in the empire.
Lumley, who was made a dame last year for her services to entertainment and charity, continues to be an activist for animal welfare and Gurkha veterans' rights.
