Radio Times

Review by:

David Butcher

It’s the kind of title Horizon might use for a look at anti-ageing science, but this idea is simpler: a handful of Britain’s 12,000 centenarians offer their advice on living longer. In many cases, you get the feeling a positive attitude has helped (former concert pianist Alice believes laughter has kept her alive), but then it’s possible that dour centenarian pessimists simply don’t make it onto TV programmes.

Exercise seems to be no bad thing: a love of golf, swimming, walking and in one case a 1970s rowing machine have all played their part for various interviewees. One is still running marathons, amazingly, but then he didn’t learn to walk until he was five.

About this programme

Today there are more than 12,000 people who are 100 years or older in Britain, a figure that is expected to rise to 90,000 over the next 25 years. But what is it like to live for a century? This one-off documentary meets centenarians across the country, including Harry Wylie and Nina Jackson, who reveal their thoughts on seeing 100 years of change, describing how their attitudes and opinions have altered over the years and what it is like to grow so old.

Cast and crew

Crew

Executive Producer

Maxine Watson

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