The actress reveals how much she’s enjoying her new grandson – and how she’s looking forward to spending his first Christmas with him this year
On Christmas Day, Alison Steadman is looking forward to holding the special present she has dreamed about for so many years: her four month-old grandson Freddy.
‘I can’t think of a better gift. At last I’m a grandmother, and I love it, love it, love it!,’ says the 71-year-old star. After 50 years of playing memorable characters – from outrageous Beverly in Abigail’s Party to excitable house-proud Essex mum Pam in Gavin & Stacey – Alison is enjoying every moment of the real-life role.
‘I cried with happiness when I first held him. I’m besotted. I just say to people, “I’m going to bore you now” as I show them pictures. I don’t care!
‘I was beginning to think my sons were so career-minded and busy that it wasn’t going to happen,’ says Alison, mother to Toby, 39, an illustrator, and Leo, 36, a film-maker from her former marriage to director Mike Leigh.
‘Having a grandchild is something I longed for. But of course you never want to put pressure on your children. Now that it’s happened, it’s an absolute dream.’
Living in London with her long-time partner Michael Elwyn, Alison is a great planner when it comes to the festive season. ‘I shall be out and about looking for small things for my boys. They still have a stocking, even though they are in their 30s! For decorations, I have a collection of cones I arrange in our flat with candles and a real tree.
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