Joan Collins criticises the UK government for discrimination of over-70s amid the coronavirus crisis

Dame Joan Collins has criticised the UK government for being ‘ageist’ to those over the age of 70 amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

In her column for The Spectator on Sunday, the actress, 86, claimed government advice saying elderly people needed to stay indoors during the global pandemic was ‘utter discrimination’.

Holding nothing back, she said: ‘I’ve always thought Western society was terribly ageist, and I don’t just mean showbiz folk but across the board. 

‘Then the UK government insisted the over-70s, horrible expression, were part of the vulnerables, an even more horrible expression, and should remain in lockdown, the most horrible expression of all, until a vaccine is found. 

‘That was utter discrimination against the hardy individuals who have no health issues. But more harmful was bolstering the existing belief among the general public that the old should keep out of everyone’s way.’

The Dynasty star added that she declared ‘stunningly healthy’ by her GP on her most recent visit, and has never limited herself by her age, which was true of others too.

Joan said there are ‘hundreds of thousands’ of people like her that are certain to feel the same way about being told to stay indoors throughout the UK’s lockdown. 

Picking out fellow elderly actors, Joan said it was a shame 88-year-old Coronation Street star William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, was not allowed to return to work because of the government’s advice.

She also detailed her shock when pal Christopher Biggins, 71, was stopped by members of the public during a run, because they believed he should remain inside. 

Earlier this month, Joan declared she’d ‘settle’ at living til she’s 100 – and brushed off the age difference between her and husband Percy Gibson.

Joan married Percy, 55, in 2002, and said in a new interview that ‘people make too much fuss about age, which is just a number.’

Speaking to The Mirror, Joan said: ‘I think there’s a big difference between biological age and the age you’re supposed to be. 

‘As you know, [Percy] is somewhat younger than me. At first people would always say, “What are you going to do about the age difference?” I’d say, “Well, if he dies he dies!”‘

She mused: ‘Will I outlive you all? No, I don’t want that. I’ll settle for 100 years old, like Olivia de Havilland, who played Melanie in Gone With The Wind. She lives in Paris and is still going strong.’