Exclusive: Fiona Bruce says she 'doesn't worry about ageing' and 'thanks her lucky stars' to see lines in the mirror

In our exclusive interview, BBC icon Fiona opened up about feeling grateful to grow old healthily and her epic party plans for her 60th birthday

Fiona Bruce poses for the front cover of woman&home's May issue
(Image credit: woman&home/ Joseph Montezinos)

Fiona Bruce opened up about feeling lucky to grow older and shared her incredible 60th birthday party plans, in an exclusive interview for our May issue. 

The broadcasting veteran, who is marking 35 years working for the BBC in 2024, will also celebrate her 60th birthday at the end of April, making it an epic milestone year for her - as she and husband Nigel Sharrocks will see in their 30th wedding anniversary in July, too. 

And with so many life and work achievements making the year a special one, Fiona, who is mum to son Sam, 26, and daughter Mia, 22, told us she has no worries surrounding getting older. 

Fiona Bruce poses for the front cover of woman&home's May issue

(Image credit: woman&home/ Joseph Montezinos)

"I don't worry about ageing. I'm fortunate that I’m healthy and well," Fiona declared, going on to share that she has close friends who haven't been as lucky with their health.

"I've had very close friends who were in the prime of life – super fit and very healthy – then suddenly they were diagnosed with a very serious form of cancer."

The Question Time and Antiques Roadshow host explained that this is the reason she doesn't spend time being fussed about her skin showing signs of ageing and instead sees being able to enjoy later life as a privilege. 

Fiona Bruce poses for the front cover of woman&home's May issue

(Image credit: woman&home/ Joseph Montezinos)

"God forbid, that can happen to any of us, so I don't look in the mirror and think, 'Oh no, there’s another line,' which undoubtedly there is – many of them. I just think, 'This is great.' I definitely count my lucky stars," she continued.

With her 60th birthday just around the corner, Fiona is set to really celebrate another year of marriage and being another year older in style. There's dinners, trips away and a party with a DJ fresh out of a nightclub on the cards. 

"My close girlfriends are also turning 60, so it's going to be a really great year. We've already been out to dinner, we're going away and I'm having a party because, as well as my birthday, it's my 30th wedding anniversary – a double whammy," she said.

"We might as well go for it! I've hired a really good DJ who normally does Heaven nightclub on Saturday nights, I may be having a light-up dance floor and there will be cocktails. It will be about as far from a string quartet evening as you could imagine!"

Give the gift of woman&home

Fiona Bruce poses for the front cover of woman&home's May issue

(Image credit: woman&home/ Joseph Montezinos)

Despite a wild night full of dancing and tipples planned to ring in 60, Fiona admits she's not a huge drinker in everyday life - and isn't one to turn up to work feeling the effects of the night before.

"I've turned up for work with a hangover before, but not since the kids came along. I'm a very light drinker these days.

"If I’m out, I don’t particularly want to go to bed early, and if I have more than a couple of glasses of wine, I get really sleepy, and I don’t want to be sleepy because I want to enjoy the night!"

You can read Fiona's full exclusive interview with woman&home in the May issue of the magazine, on shelves from March 28th. 

Caitlin Elliott
News Editor

Caitlin is News Editor for woman&home, covering all things royal, celeb, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Caitlin started on local papers and titles such as Cosmopolitan, Now, Reveal and Take a Break while studying for her Multimedia Journalism degree. She also worked in Fashion PR as a Press Assistant for Arcadia's Topshop before becoming a part of the Now team. Caitlin went on to add the likes of Woman, GoodtoKnow, WhatToWatch and woman&home to her writing repertoire before moving on to her current role.