Dame Sheila Hancock wants to 'leave the world a happy place'

Dame Sheila Hancock wants to "leave the world a happy place".

The 90-year-old actress is determined to remain optimistic and "full of life" - despite the ongoing challenges facing people around the world.

Sheila told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It is really difficult now to be not angry, isn’t it?

"I won’t be here much longer realistically and I would like to leave the world a happy place, lovely and full of life.

"There are many natural disasters at the moment like those poor people caught up in the Turkey earthquake.

"And then of course the everlasting worry about the planet. It is terrifying if you read about it."

The veteran star was outspoken about various social and political issues - including Brexit, the COVID-19 lockdown and inequality - in her memoir, 'Old Rage'.

However, Sheila is "angrier than ever" under the current administration led by new prime minister Rishi Sunak, arguing that he doesn't appreciate the arts.

Sheila said: "How dare they cut arts funding and say children need to do more maths?

"We need culture in this country. To say maths is a priority and the arts isn’t is crazy. The arts make life worth living.

"We are blessed with a lot of theatres in this country and it is essential for our mental and physical health. The arts means a lot now."

The actress also slammed politician Lee Anderson for supporting the reintroduction of the death penalty.

Sheila said: "Somebody has just been appointed by Rishi Sunak who believes we should bring back hanging.

"These are leaders who we should look up to. How can anybody say that? We hanged people who were innocent in the past."