The Third Act

For the final episode of Series Four of The Third Act, Gyles Brandreth returns to Auriens. Fondly dubbed the “Peter Pan” of Auriens, following his time in the wellness programme where he emerged feeling fitter than ever. He likely needs no introduction. A broadcaster, author, former politician, podcaster and even a jumper designer, he’s also a familiar face on beloved programmes such as Countdown, Just a Minute and Celebrity Gogglebox. In conversation with Catherine Fairweather, he reflects on how young he really feels, what happiness means to him, royalty, and the art of embracing change.

Hosted by Catherine Fairweather, this episode features an inspiring conversation with Lynne Charles, Artistic Director of English National Ballet School. With a remarkable career spanning over 35 years, Lynne has performed internationally, including 12 seasons with Hamburg Ballet, before dedicating herself to teaching. She has worked with leading companies such as English National Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet, helping to shape the next generation of dancers. Residents at Auriens Chelsea recently had the pleasure of experiencing Lynne’s choreography during a special festive performance on site.

This episode features an insightful conversation with entrepreneur and business leader Jeremy King. Jeremy reflects on his journey from his early ventures to co-founding the renowned restaurant group Caprice Holdings, sharing the pivotal moments, challenges, and decisions that shaped his career. He discusses how the hospitality industry continues to evolve, including changing consumer habits, with people drinking and dining out less than before. Drawing on decades of experience, Jeremy shares his perspective on leadership, resilience, and innovation in a fast-paced industry, as well as lessons from his new book Without Reservations: Lessons from a Life in Restaurants.

Auriens is proud to present Series Four, Episode Nine of ‘The Third Act’ hosted by Catherine Fairweather, in conversation with celebrated actress Harriet Walter. With a career spanning stage, screen, and television, Harriet has brought Shakespearean heroines and modern characters alike to life, earning acclaim for her fearless performances and lifelong commitment to storytelling. In this episode, Harriet reflects on decades of acting and the enduring power of theatre, exploring themes of forgiveness, loving later in life, health, daily rituals, and the mortality of assisted dying, where Harriet explains: “You can’t process death. It’s impossible to imagine or process… We’re sentient beings, we cannot conceive of not being.”

Series Four of The Third Act continues with Episode Eight, the original podcast from Auriens, hosted by Catherine Fairweather. In this inspiring episode, legendary British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes reflects on her extraordinary journey from art college to international acclaim. She recounts the pivotal moment a meeting with Vogue editor Diana Vreeland opened the doors to success in the United States, and shares the story behind founding the Fashion and Textile Museum — a lasting legacy celebrating creativity and design. With candour and characteristic optimism, Zandra speaks about the role of instinct, resilience and hard work in shaping her career, as well as her refreshing philosophy on ageing and experience: “I don’t think we should live with regrets. We’ve got to think it was a bad decision and hope that we can regroup to make the right decision.” A thoughtful and uplifting conversation, this episode explores creativity, courage, and what it truly means to live a life well lived.

In this episode, host Catherine Fairweather sits down with esteemed British author and journalist Sofka Zinovieff, whose latest book Stealing Dad has been described by The Observer as “funny, sad and full of beautiful writing.” Their conversation looks at the themes at the heart of Sofka’s work: inherited identity, complex family dynamics, and the rituals that, as she puts it, “give shape to loss.” Drawing on both personal experience and professional insight, Sofka discusses how these ideas informed Stealing Dad and why they continue to resonate with readers.

In tribute to Sir Tom Stoppard, who died last week, we are reposting this conversation from our archives. Sir Tom Stoppard was one of the most widely acclaimed playwrights and screenwriters of his generation. His award-winning body of work includes the screenplay for Shakespeare in Love and the plays Arcadia and The Real Thing. His final major work, Leopoldstadt—often described as his most personal play—is set in the Jewish community of early 20th-century Vienna. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Play after its celebrated West End run and is currently playing on Broadway. In this episode, Sir Tom speaks with Catherine Fairweather about his childhood, his writing process, the benefits of getting older, and the tick-tock of the universe.

Legendary Canadian journalist Graydon Carter joins Catherine Fairweather for Episode Five of The Third Act. Best known as the former Editor-in-Chief of Vanity Fair, co-founder of the ground-breaking satirical magazine Spy, and founder of the digital weekly Air Mail, Graydon has spent decades shaping how we read, think, and stay curious. In this episode, Graydon reflects on the golden age of print, the thrill and challenge of reinventing journalism for a digital world, and why satire should always “punch up.” He also shares his thoughts on keeping one’s mind sharp, staying endlessly inquisitive, and embracing the joy of reinvention in later life.

In this episode of The Third Act, host Catherine Fairweather sits down with acclaimed actress Jenny Seagrove. Known for her roles in Local Hero and A Woman of Substance, Jenny has also dedicated much of her life to animal welfare through the Mane Chance Sanctuary. Together, they explore themes of love, loss, resilience and the evolving journey of self-worth, and how Jenny continues to discover new purpose in later life.

This week, Catherine Fairweather is delighted to welcome the extraordinary garden designers Isabel and Julian Bannerman to the podcast. Since 1983, the Bannermans have created exceptional gardens, culminating in the honour of receiving the Royal Warrant from King Charles III in 2024. Speaking from their home at Ashington Manor in Somerset, they reflect on their favourite projects, their celebrated ‘no-rules’ approach, and their enduring philosophy of planting for future generations.

Hosted by journalist Catherine Fairweather, this episode features the celebrated British photographer Martin Parr. Together, they explore the quirks, curiosities and creative obsessions that have defined his career, and his unique way of looking at the world. Recorded at the Martin Parr Foundation, Catherine goes behind the scenes to reveal stories that go far beyond the lens. Parr’s attention to detail and his wry lens reshape our perspective on the British, while his observations on how we see beauty and seek pleasure resonate deeply with the concept of later living at Auriens, proud sponsors of this podcast.

In this episode, Harry Enfield joins Catherine Fairweather to reflect on the joy and legacy of his career. With his trademark mischievous wit and incisive humour, he has helped define British comedy. Together, they explore how humour shapes the way we connect and navigate life’s chapters while also revealing a few guilty pleasures and secret talents along the way.

Penelope Tree is as engaging a podcast guest as she is a debut novelist, captivating listeners with her intelligent candour and timeless elegance. Her reflections on her teenage and young adult years, filled with both glamour and grit, serve as the foundation for Piece of Your Heart—a novel that vividly captures the soaring highs and the frankly hellish lows of the 1960s fashion world. To pen such an accomplished debut novel in her 70s is not only an incredible achievement but also a source of inspiration. It’s a reminder that creativity knows no age and that it’s never too late to embrace new ambitions and share your story. It’s a novel and a story, that makes you feel there’s hope for us all.

Over drinks and the sound of clinking ice at Auriens, host Catherine Fairweather meets Bruce en route to his first major retrospective in Prague. He reflects on shaping the zeitgeist of the eighties and nineties with his sometimes provocative yet always glamorous campaigns for Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. Bruce muses on a show that celebrates the unique relationships he forged with his subjects, from the late Stella Tennant, whom he deeply admired, to Kate Moss and countless others. We discuss how fortunate we were to experience the glory days of print journalism—and the unfortunate ways in which 9/11 truly marked the end of an era. Stay tuned for his favourite poem to live by at the end.

In this episode of The Third Act, Catherine Fairweather sits down over tea at Auriens Chelsea with British film and style icon, Bill Nighy. Together, they dive into his upcoming role in Joy, in which he portrays pioneering IVF surgeon Patrick Steptoe. Nighy also reflects on the highs and lows of life on stage, sharing candid stories about stage fright and the pressures of live performance. Join us for a droll conversation with 'a national treasure', whose dry and, sometimes, irreverent wit; and whose immaculate sense of timing has engaged audiences for decades.

At 91, Dame Sheila Hancock reflects on a life rich in experiences which have sometimes tested, sometimes burnished her resilient and independent spirit. Known for her dynamic career on stage and screen— Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, and The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas—Dame Sheila has spent the more recent decades captivating a new audience of readers with her writing and sharp wit, the most recent being the captivating memoir of a long life well lived in Old Rage. Yet her drive extends well beyond the arts; Sheila is something of an activist and campaigner, whose life is as powered by compassion and espousing causes as it is a restless thirst for knowledge. This episode offers an inspiring glimpse into the wisdom, humour, and tenacity of one of the UK’s most talented Dames.

Host, Catherine Fairweather, is joined by the wonderful Pattie Boyd in warm confessional mode. In this episode, she’s honest about the flip side of celebrity, the sense of feeling invisible as a model in an era when you were judged purely on how you looked, and the highs and lows of being married to famous rockstars George Harrison and Eric Clapton. Motherhood is elusive but we explore how Pattie Boyd finds purpose and direction, particularly in her later years, with photography and travelling.

Explorer and environmentalist Robin Hanbury-Tenison recounts his life journey with host Catherine Fairweather, from early adventures in the far reaches to a near-death experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss his transformative coma visions, dedication to Indigenous rights and the environment with Survival International, and his transition from explorer to advocate for preserving natural and cultural heritage. Robin reflects on the evolution of exploration with modern technology and muses on the importance, psychologically, of getting lost.

In this episode of The Third Act, host Catherine Fairweather reconnects with Susannah Constantine, the famed TV presenter and fashion guru, after nearly three decades. Susannah opens up about her struggle with alcoholism, her path to sobriety, and the profound influence of her family history on her personal battles. She also shares humorous and poignant anecdotes about her experiences within royal circles and the evolution of her career.

Catherine Fairweather sits down with Bill Wyman, the iconic ex-Rolling Stones bassist, for an intimate conversation at Auriens Chelsa. Bill Wyman is the most unlikely rockstar, a man given to quieter pursuits such as metal-detecting, archiving, photography and writing - the latest memoir being Billy in the Wars which they discuss here over a glass of wine at Auriens. Catherine also talks to the legendary bassist about why he left The Rolling Stones at the height of its fame, how we can learn from our mistakes and bad, and the dual sense of loneliness and community in his wartime London childhood. Tune in to hear Catherine and Bill discuss gifts of later life and the legacy of love bestowed by his adored grandmother.