My London: Dame Joan Collins
The Dynasty icon eats shepherd’s pie over chats at The Ivy, checks in at home-from-home Claridge’s — and is even an honorary cabbie!
By Emily Phillips
Home is …
My flat in Belgravia, where I have lived for the past 30 years, 20 of which I’ve spent happily with my husband, Percy Gibson.
Where do you stay in London?
When we were flooded out of our flat, we stayed at Claridge’s. It’s our home away from home and they always welcome me as if I actually live there. Their food is wonderful and I particularly like their club sandwich.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
At the moment, I am a fan of The Ivy Chelsea Garden on King’s Road because I love the shepherd’s pie and you can hear yourself talk, which is sadly not the case at far too many London restaurants.
Where would you most like to be buried?
Next to my wonderful mother, and close to Kay Kendall and Anton Walbrook, at St John-at-Hampstead church.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
Stop all the building works that are clogging up all the streets.
Which shops do you rely on?
For fashionable clothes, Selfridges; jackets, Zara; pyjamas and cashmere sweaters, Marks & Spencer; over-the-top evening gowns, Harrods, and wonderful hats Philip Treacy.
What makes someone a Londoner?
Being born within the sound of Bow Bells. My parents said I was.
Who is the most iconic Londoner in history?
Winston Churchill — if he wasn’t a Londoner he should have been.
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
They made me an honorary cabbie because I support them so staunchly! I take dozens of taxis each week.
Where do you go to let your hair down?
My hairdresser.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Caviar, heaps of it on a baked potato.
What are you up to at the moment for work?
Publicising my best-selling book, My Unapologetic Diaries, and a couple of scripts that I’m deeply involved with.
Who do you call when you want to have fun?
Christopher Biggins, Julian Clary, Andrew Pierce or any of my other friends. None of them are boring. I can forgive anything else but that.
What do you collect?
Camels: prints, pictures, paintings and statues of them.
Which podcast are you currently obsessed with?
I don’t do or listen to podcasts.
What’s your favourite beauty spot?
My bathroom! My hairdresser Alyn Waterman comes to me.
What was the last thing you googled?
A shop in Soho that sells platform-soled high-heeled shoes — I couldn’t find it.
‘My Unapologetic Diaries’, by Joan Collins, £20 (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) is out now in hardback, audio and ebook
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