Newspapers had a field day yesterday running a photograph of Dame Helen Mirren in a bikini posing with her husband on the rocks near her holiday home in Italy.
Everyone seemed rather amazed that she was looking so good just days short of her 63rd birthday - yet there are flocks of women in their 50s, 60s and 70s who still look sexy and absolutely wonderful whether in or out of a swimsuit.
I certainly applaud Dame Helen for wearing a bikini on which she obviously thought was an extremely secluded stretch of beach.
Role model: Pictured on holiday this week, Dame Helen Mirren, 62, is an idol for the ageing generation
At the age of 75, I almost always wear a bikini by my own pool with just family and friends in the vicinity, but I, too, was recently caught by a photographer while lounging on a yacht in one.
Unfortunately today, with the excessive emphasis that is placed by society on youth, youth, youth, many women over 40 are beginning to feel unsexy - and with that often comes a tremendous feeling of insecurity.
But the truth is there are plenty of role models for them to aspire to: women like Dame Helen are by no means in the minority for looking sexy and stunning.
Look at Sophia Loren, Susan Sarandon, Ursula Andress, Stephanie Powers, Raquel Welch, Barbara Eden, Joanna Lumley, Linda Grey. The list is endless - and those are just the actresses.
I have many friends in their 60s, 70s and 80s who do not live in the limelight but who all look absolutely stunning.
They all have one thing in common, however: they have taken care of themselves all their lives - and by this I mean eating a reasonably healthy diet, exercising moderately, and not allowing themselves to become overweight.
Weight on a person is one of the most ageing and unhealthy things that can happen.
For women in the UK, the current life expectancy of 85 can actually be translated into a much longer life than that if she continues her simple basic maintenance - and, of course, doesn't get ill.
Sadly, many of today's illnesses stem from being overweight.
