Interview with Jan Leeming, 74

Former newsreader and TV presenter Jan Leeming has a real lust for life. Jan started out as an actress before becoming Sydney’s first female newsreader in 1963. The Kent-born star later became a well-known face on British screens, appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in recent years.

She knew that her father was born in the Nilgiri Hills in Southern India, and served in the Indian army, so Jan was excited to visit the land of her father’s birth for the first time. A culture lover, she is intrigued by history and architecture and can’t wait to see the Taj Mahal.

What was the most memorable part of the experience?
Visiting the Taj Mahal, sharing a birthday with a Maharaja, and meeting Indian people from various walks of life.

Did the experience allow you time to reflect?
I’ve done more reflection since I’ve been back but what I did think about a great deal was how kind, gentle and respectful the Indian people whom we met were. They appeared to be a lot less materialistic than Westerners and they have respect for religion.

Would you seriously consider retiring to India?
I would seriously consider spending the Indian winter months in India. Much as I love heat, the summer temperatures and humidity are just a trifle too much for me. I would spend my time exploring the fascinating history, religion and perhaps helping out with spoken English in a school.