Why Helen Mirren is still sexy in her sixties and a role model for growing old gracefully

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.

Miaow! Pussycat Nicole gets shrink wrapped in skintight PVC at music awards

Poured into a skintight PVC dress Nicole Scherzinger's every bump and lump was on display.
But luckily for the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls the only bumps she has are her generous curves.

The 30-year-old girlfriend of racing ace Lewis Hamilton was displaying her perfect figure at the Vodafone Live Music Awards at the Brixton Academy last night.

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Shrink wrapped: Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls wore a skintight PVC dress at the Vodafone Music Awards in London last night

The Pussycat Dolls: Ashley Roberts, Melody Thornton, Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt and Jessica Sutta

And she and her bandmates weren't just there to party. Instead they thrilled the crowd as they performed their hits onstage in corsets and stockings.
The Los Angeles Group are currently promoting their new album Doll Domination.
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Raunchy: The Dolls wowed onstage in hotpants, suspenders and fishnets

Among the star studded audience was Baby Spice Emma Bunton, who looked all grown up in a stylish black dress and red lipstick.
The new mother appeared to be taking fashion advice from her former bandmate Victoria Beckham, in her Posh style bodycon outfit and blonde Pob.
The other guests included newly single DJ Mark Ronson, whose model ex Daisy Lowe was on the catwalk across London at Vivienne Westwood's show.
Singers Kelly Rowland, formerly of the band Destiny's Child, and Estelle also attended the bash.

Blonde ambition: Holly Willoughby (left) and Baby Spice Emma Bunton

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Soul women: Singers Estelle and Kelly Rowland also attended the event

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Newly single Mark Ronson arrives looking more like a trainspotter than a DJ, and Fearne Cotton (right) look glorious in dark green

Model Nell McAndrew strips off for a sizzling lingerie shoot

Celebrity fitness addict Nell McAndrew famously spends plenty of time working on her toned body. And here's the reason why.
In what might be seen as a triumph for the older woman, model and television presenter Nell McAndrew, 34, has replaced 28-year-old Kimberly Stewart as the face and body of lingerie brand Adore Moi.
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The face and the body: Celebrity model and presenter Nell McAndrew has been unveiled as the face and body of lingerie range Adore Moi

Mother-of-one Nell reveals her ample assets in a sizzling lingerie shoot which will no doubt please her many male fans.
The keen marathon runner has been a self-confessed exercise bunny for years, and it shows as she unveiled her highly-toned figure in the range's pretty bras, satin ivory basques with suspenders and racy lacy designs.
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Exercise diva: Nell's highly-toned physique has seen her replace the younger Kimberly Stewart as the new model for the Debenhams lingerie range

Racy and lacy: The range includes satin, lace, and naughty basques

Nell said: "I am delighted to be working with Adore Moi. The range is absolutely beautiful and so feminine."
Adore Moi has been created by Ultimo bras owner Michelle Mone. She said: "Nell is the epitome of this brand - gorgeous, sophisticated and sexy! She was a pleasure to work with!
And speaking about her reasons for choosing Nell for the campaign - apart from her stunning physique, she said: "She is a mother and is admired by women all over the country."
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Adored: Michelle Mone, the creator of Ultimo bras and Adore Moi said she chose Nell because she is a mother, and is admired by women all over the country

Nell has a son, Devon, 19 months, and is married to property developer husband Paul Hardcastle, 38.
She is mad about fitness, and just six months after the birth of her baby boy Devon, Nell shed 2st by cycling, walking and swimming.
The 34-year-old mother of one admitted she even went for a run after her baby's 6.30 morning feed.
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...not forgetting to add that the mother, who also has four fitness videos, is also seriously sexy

She explained: "When I feel blue or things aren't going well for me, I go running or take to the gym.
"I cannot imagine my life without exercise. It helps me to think positively."
Meanwhile, last week Nell stripped again, but this time for a good cause.
The model took part in a training session completely nude, save for body-painted event running numbers, painted shorts and pink commemorative back signs to help launch a major fundraising event for cancer research.
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Fundraiser: But Nell also makes time to raise funds for her favourite cancer charity, Cancer Research UK, and is taking part in this year's Race for Life series to raise money

The 34-year-old TV presenter took part in a training session in Regent's Park, London, along with women from around the UK to highlight Cancer Research UK Race for Life 2008, the largest women-only fundraising event in Britain.
She has been a long-time support of the charity, and within that time, her father Ted, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and takes part in the Race for Life in celebration of him.
Women are invited to walk, jog, or run five kilometres (3.1 miles) at more than 260 events across the UK. The charity is hoping that 750,000 women will participate and help raise more than £50 million for research into all forms of cancer.
Now in its 15th year, the Race for Life Series runs from the beginning of May until the end of July.
Baring all: Nell recently took part in a training session completely nude, save for body-painted event running numbers, painted shorts and pink commemorative back signs

Gemma voted out of jungle as she looks skinnier than ever

Jungle bikini babe Gemma Atkinson made a shock exit from I'm A Celebrity last night after becoming the seventh contestant to be voted off the show.

As the ex-Hollyoaks actress found out she was leaving, she hugged her camp-mates - and later told Ant and Dec she was relieved to be going home.

"I just want to see my mum", she said.

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Super skinny: Gemma looks more toned every day she spends in jungle

The 23-year-old was up against former Catatonia singer Cerys Matthews and the pair stood with an arm around each other's back as they waited to find out who would be going.

When she found out she was the public's choice, Gemma beamed.

"The worst thing is not being able to contact your family. It's time for me to leave. I've got bruises all over my legs and I'm hungry."

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Water babe: Footage of her splashing around has proved a ratings hit

She predicted that J or Christopher Biggins would win the show.

Earlier in the day, Gemma, famous for her ample curves, appeared to be sporting an increasingly slimline figure.

After just two weeks in the jungle, the ex-Hollyoaks babe is rapidly turning into a shadow of her former self.

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Relief: The Hollyoaks babe finds out she's going home

The shapely actress stripped down to just a bikini again today to reveal her ever-decreasing form, uber-taut stomach - and defiantly buoyant cleavage.

In the past, the size 4 actress has confessed to being a "gym-freak" but the sparse jungle diet and a regular exercise routine have had a dramatic impact.

And she had sworn not to follow in the footsteps of former contestant Myleene Klass who wowed viewers with her white bikini.

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Nervous: Gemma waits with J and Cerys to hear her fate

Hug: Janice embraces Gemma as she gets ready to leave the camp

But despite her demure words, the starlet's surgically enhanced 34E breast have rarely been off the screen since the start of the hit series.

Shortly before entering the ITV show, the 23-year-old model/actress was unveiled as the latest face of Scottish-based underwear firm Ultimo.

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Ever decreasing: Gemma appears to have been shrinking since she went into the jungle

If she is losing weight, it'll mean she'll be in tip-top shape for her upcoming Ultimo photoshoot in Florida.

Earlier in the week, excited Gemma told Christopher Biggins and Jason 'J' Brown, she will be starring in a sexy shoot with fellow Ultimo models Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding and Peter Crouch's girlfriend Abbey Clancy.

She enthused: "When I come back I've got to do the Spring Summer for next year.

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Glamorous: A fuller figured Gemma in the new Ultimo ads

"Sarah Harding does the A to C cup. I do the D to G cup so it's cool. All the bras that I'm modelling they let me keep them - they do like corsets, suspenders, everything, so it's cool.

"We are doing a thing called Ultimo Angels as in Charlie's Angels. It's going to be me, Sarah and Abbey Clancy (who Janice worked with) - we're going to Miami."

Curvy: Gemma's figure has many admirers

Kate Gosselin wears another bikini

Kate Gosselin stepped out in a bikini again this morning in North Carolina, so I'm pretty sure she wants us to look and this isn't a random paparazzi sighting. It's either publicity for the show, or Kate's trying to reel in a new man and severely overestimating her body's ability to distract from eight kids running around.

Heather Graham: Alive and cleavagey

Here's Heather Graham at the premiere of The Hangover last night, and I completely forgot she even existed and had ridiculous breasts. On that note, I'll never forget how she got me fired for what I'm about to do in the men's room.