Joanna Lumley has lived a colourful life and enjoyed an incredible career to date. Take a look into her life away from the cameras…

Joanna Lumley, the renowned actress known for her roles in Amandaland and Absolutely Fabulous, has had an illustrious career spanning several decades.

At 79, she’s not only acted in numerous hit films and popular TV shows, but also worked as a model, presenter, producer and author during the course of her career.

The multi-talented star is now set to host a new ITV travel series, Joanna Lumley’s Danube, which will see her journey across the heart of Europe following the river.

As we eagerly anticipate Joanna’s return to our telly screens, let’s delve into the iconic star’s life away from the cameras…

Joanna Lumley is an actress and former model (Image: Getty)

Joanna’s early years

Born in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in British India, Joanna’s mother, Thyra Beatrice Rose, was English, while her father, Major James Rutherford Lumley, hailed from Lahore with Scottish and English roots.

The family made their way to England on the HMT Empire Windrush, with Joanna’s parents later returning to Asia. Opting to stay in England, Joanna attended Mickledene School in Kent, reports Surrey Live.

She then went on to Holmhurst St Mary’s Convent School, the Ridge, run by the Community of the Holy Family.

Despite being rejected by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at 16, Joanna didn’t let this setback deter her and instead attended the Lucie Clayton Finishing School in London.

What has Joanna starred in?

Joanna’s diverse career spans acting, modelling, presenting, writing and producing. She began her career as a photographic model, before making a name for herself with small TV appearances.

Joanna Lumley’s acting career began with a minor role in the 1969 film Some Girls Do, followed by a stint as a Bond girl in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. She also briefly appeared as Elaine Perkins in Coronation Street.

However, her breakthrough role came when she played Purdey in The New Avengers, followed by Sapphire and Steel. Her portrayal of Patsy Stone in the BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, alongside Jennifer Saunders, became a defining role in her career.

Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley on the set of Absolutely Fabulous in 1993 (Image: Getty)The show ran until 2012 and spawned a film, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, in 2016.

In recent years, Joanna has appeared in TV shows such as Amandaland, Fool Me Once, and Finding Alice. In addition to acting, she has worked as a radio presenter, author, and has presented numerous documentaries.

Is Joanna married?

Joanna has been married to conductor Stephen Barlow since 1986, after meeting at a friend’s wedding.

She recalled the moment they met, previously telling The Independent: “I felt like I’d had a kind of electric shock; it wasn’t a matter of falling instantly in love, it was the impact of a colossal shock, completely memorable.”

The couple resides in London and owns a home in Penpont, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.

Before marrying Stephen, Joanna was married to actor Jeremy Lloyd from 1970 to 1971.

Joanna with husband Stephen Barlow (Image: Getty)

Who is Joanna’s son?

Joanna has a son, Jamie, born in 1967, when she was 21 years old.

His father is the photographer Michael Claydon. Following her split from Michael, Joanna took on the role of a single mother to Jamie.

Jamie has since carved out a successful career for himself in the world of photography. His work has been showcased globally, despite his tendency to maintain a low profile amidst his mother’s fame.

Joanna cherishes her role as a devoted grandmother to Jamie’s two daughters, Alice and Emily.