Brian Beacom

WOW. Patsy Kensit speaks fast, so fast she’s almost tripping over her own words.

Unfortunately, the words don’t offer detailed insight into her colourful life and times. In fact, they tend to feature the phrase “new make-up range” rather a lot.

Patsy, one-time singer-turned actress is in Glasgow on Friday to talk up her involvement with Studio 10 make up.

It’s a business involvement she is passionate about. So passionate in fact, that most other subjects are off the table. Or if not, time spent talking about the make-up and the connection with the social awareness Pro-age project negates opportunity.

But questions have to be asked. And after all, Patsy has been in showbiz since she was four. How does she feel, for example, about ageism in the industry?

Last week, Jane Fonda mumped her Hollywood gums about the industry not giving older woman a fair run at the market.

Does she feel that’s fair?

“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve worked all my life until seven and a half years ago when I realised my boys were growing up fast. (One son to Jim Kerr, the other to Liam Gallagher).

“And I did a drama last year, Tina and Bobby, for ITV. And I looked exactly as a mum and a woman of a certain age would look at that time.”

Is this a good thing or a bad? The question doesn’t even get the time to leave my lips because the actress-turned make-up promoter has segued into talk about Studio Ten.

“We did this independent survey through Studio Ten and 75 per cent of women of a certain age said middle age does not in any way represent them. So we have to choose our language really carefully.”

Great, Patsy.

“We’re vital,” she says, I think, of womankind. And that’s inarguable. “At this age, the stuff I’ve learned, what I would do again, what I wouldn’t, I’ve learned happiness comes from within.”

I’m getting a little lost here. Tell, me. Who is Patsy Kensit? A tough showbiz survivor? The serial marriages and the list of famous boyfriends would suggest a fragility?

“That hits me sideways,” she says of the question. “I’m a very strong person.”

She pauses for a nano second and adds; “Look, life is not perfect. But I’ve learnt from everything I’ve done. And this past six months in getting involved with Studio Ten make-up has given me a voice which I haven’t had before.”

Via make-up? I’m not sure what this voice is really saying?

“That’s why I think social media can be really positive, at times. I can say ‘That isn’t true.’ Or ‘that isn’t how I looked when I went out for a run’ and I’m a regular woman.

“And I have this inner confidence that makes me wake up with a smile every day.”

What about Weinstein and co? Did she suffer at the hands of male predators.

“Never, ever. I grew up in the business where my mother was always with me.”

What about the marriages, Patsy? She has been married quite a lot, to musicians Donovan, Jim Kerr, Liam Gallagher and Jeremy Healy.

“Historically I’ve discussed my love life, but all I would say is my personal life is no longer on the table.”

Now, it’s understandable why the Londoner wouldn’t be overly keen to lift up old rocks just in case something crawls out that could impact upon her present life in the make-up business.

But there are only so many ways we can talk about make-up Patsy.

“I’m focused on business and this make-up line,” she cuts in. “I’m on the Board. I’m not just an ambassador and I’m getting my hands dirty with great make-up.”

She smiles at the joke. “If I can say that. I’m very passionate about this movement.”

That comes across, Patsy. There’s little doubt she’s putting the energy into the business she contrived to become a success in. At one time she stated: “All I want is to be more famous than anything or anyone”.[2]

There’s little doubt the lady has lots of character, well formed by life experience.

Her mum, who died of breast cancer at the age of 48, worked as a publicist. Her dad was an East End bad boy who spent a great deal of time being looked after by Her Majesty.

The actress once likened parties at her childhood home to The Sopranos, and remembers once going on a cruise to the Caribbean when her father was on the run.

Does she regret the drive for fame?

“I think it’s been a very interesting and wonderful journey. I’ve reinvented myself about three times and I’ve taken the risk in doing that.

“I’ve made mistakes and relished in things that have been positive.”

We seemed to be on a roll of personal reflection. But she slips into generalisation the way she once slipped into tight lycra trousers in Absolute Beginners.

“As a female, the notion middle aged is outdated. Women in their forties and fifties don’t feel the way our parents did.

“This generation is really bashing the door down for the next generation. Don’t get me wrong; I love youth. I celebrate youth. I’ve got two sons who are young.

“But women of a certain age can start to feel invisible.”

It would have been nice to talk to the actress about contradictions; shouldn’t feminism be about not remodelling the face? I didn’t get to ask that question because the former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks actress didn’t actually stop for breath.

“We’re going up and down the country to appear at Marks and Spencer, where they keep the make-up, which is a wonderful, wonderful make-up, but we’re also there to talk about Pro-Age, as opposed to anti-age.

“I feel a lot of people feel that way these days.”

I wanted to ask the difference but at this point I seemed to lose the will to live.

This could possibly be because I’m not a woman. It could also have come about because I didn’t get a grasp of Patsy Kensit.

But did I mention she’s promoting a new make-up range?

• Patsy will be visiting Marks and Spencer at Braehead to “meet and celebrate feeling amazing at any age with local women, with in-store demonstrations, discussions and make-overs.”