TALK SHOW legend Michael Parkinson could be the new James Bond – he’s beaten former 007 Sean Connery to take top spot in a poll to find the sexiest celebrities over- 60.
TALK SHOW legend Michael Parkinson could be the new James Bond - he's beaten former 007 Sean Connery to take top spot in a poll to find the sexiest celebrities over-60.
Parkie, 66, topped the nationwide poll amongst women aged 60 plus, beating 73 year-old Scotsman Sean Connery and Hollywood legend Robert Redford into second and third places.
And 75 year-old Avenger Honor Blackman is the men's favourite. She's been voted the sexiest women over 60 - ahead of screen beauties Joan Collins and Bridget Bardot.
The 'Grey Power' study by Norwich Union reveals that more than half of the nation's seniors believe that television characters like Dot Cotton on EastEnders and grumpy Victor Meldrew don't realistically depict most over-60s today.
But it's not beauty regimes that keep the over-60s feeling young - it's exercise. Almost a third say keeping fit helps keep them feeling young, followed closely by a positive state of mind and mixing with younger people. A mere two per cent say it's beauty products.
Norwich Union's 'Grey Power' study also shows:
- A quarter of people over 60 have friends younger than their own children and more than two in five have friends as young as their children
- One in four people feel they are discriminated against because of their age
- Almost half (45 per cent) of over-60s feel that age and experience is undervalued in current society
Commenting on the findings, Daren Carter, head of equity release marketing for Norwich Union, said: "Our research shows that maintaining a fit and healthy body and mind is key to keeping young, more so than beauty regimes or products. Maybe those are Michael Parkinson and Honor Blackman's trade secrets to looking so good in their late sixties and seventies.
"And we have discovered that people certainly don't stop leading an active life when they hit their 60s - in fact many of them want to do more rather than less as they have more leisure time."
Norwich Union offers a choice of equity release plans which allow older people to unlock the cash tied up in their properties, putting cash in their pockets so they can get the most out of retirement.
People interested in finding out more about Norwich Union's equity release products should call 0845 300 2493 or talk it over with their own Financial Adviser.
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For further media information, contact Anja Kueppers or Matthew Buchanan at QBO on 020 7379 0304 or Louise Zucchi at Norwich Union Press Office on 08703 666860
Notes to Editors:
- Norwich Union commissioned an independent survey of 250 people aged over 60. The survey was carried out in May 2000.
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Norwich Union offers two options for people wanting to release cash from their home. The Flexible Cash Release Plan releases a cash lump sum and the Flexible Income Release Plan enables customers to receive a regular income - or the option to take up to 25 per cent of the money released as a cash lump sum as well as a regular income. Loans are secured by a legal charge on their property.
There is nothing to repay during the customers' lifetime unless the house is sold or they need to go into long term care.
The plans should be seen as a lifetime commitment. Substantial early repayment charges may be payable if the loan is repaid for a reason other than death or long term care needs.
Full terms and conditions or a personal illustration are available on request.
The income under a Flexible Income Release Plan is provided by a Norwich Union Immediate Life Annuity. The annuity has no cash in value at any time. Part of the income received under a FIRP is taxable as savings income.
Entitlement to state/tax benefits may be affected by taking out an equity release plan.
Norwich Union only advises on its own products.
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CGU and Norwich Union merged on 30 May 2000 to create CGNU plc - the world's 6th largest insurer, the UK's largest insurance group and one of the top-five life insurers in Europe with substantial positions in other markets around the world.
CGNU's principal business activities are long-term savings, general insurance and asset management with worldwide premium income and retail investment sales of Ł26 billion and assets under management of more than Ł220 billion.
The combined life and pensions, general insurance and retail fund businesses in the UK operate under the Norwich Union brand, while the institutional business operates under the Morley Fund Management brand.
- Norwich Union's news releases are available on this website.