Somerset dinner lady, 42, reveals how she still looks like she's in her 20s

A 42-year-old mum has spoken of the secret to her youthful appearance after revealing that she is frequently asked for ID due to people believing she's in her early 20s. Lydia Harris, a school dinner lady and bartender, from Bridgwater, Somerset, claims her looks amassed her a staggering 18,000 'swipe rights' on Tinder before she met her current boyfriend.

Despite being regularly queried about whether she has had cosmetic surgery, Lydia insists it's all down to exercise and fortunate genetics, not botox or lip fillers. Her younger partner, Alex Brice, 36, a plumber, reportedly gets miffed as he is never asked for ID, while his older girlfriend routinely is.

The age-defying mum is now taking a shot at the UK Calendar Girls competition, which is open to women between 18 and 45 years of age. She hopes to feature in the charity calendar for 2025.

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Reflecting on her unexpected online popularity, Lydia shared: "I set up Tinder in 2020 and was in there for four weeks before I met my boyfriend but before I deactivated it, I noticed I had around 18k likes."

This experience kickstarted her modelling Instagram, leading to enquiries about possible modelling work or an OnlyFans presence. Amid persistent questions about her youthful secrets, Lydia maintains: "I've had no botox or lip fillers - you see typical women now who've had a lot of work done but I don't look like that. My boyfriend is 36 and is gutted because he never gets asked for ID and I'm older than him."

Lydia, a mother to 15-year-old twins, revealed that she joined Tinder after parting ways with her husband of 13 years in 2020. She was astounded by the number of potential matches she received.

Lydia shared that while working behind the bar at events, she often attracts attention from men who question her age and are incredulous when she reveals it.

She insists there's no secret to her youthful looks, attributing them to regular exercise, eight hours of sleep each night, minimal alcohol consumption, and the use of a Boots own-brand scar reduction serum.

"I get asked for ID a lot - I've got used to it now. I'm always ready with my ID in case they ask and most of the time they do. When I show it they're very taken aback and either apologise or ask how I look so good."

"The response I've received from Calendar Girls has been a tremendous confidence boost."

After another UK Calendar Girls competitor suggested she apply upon seeing her Instagram posts @lyd. sj2, Lydia decided to give it a shot despite being just three years shy of the age limit for entrants.

Now, Lydia is hopeful of making it to the UK Calendar Girls final, which would see her featured in the 2025 calendar, where 80 competitors are whittled down to just 12 finalists.

"Modelling is something I've always been interested in," she confessed. "I'm not really a confident person but I am confident in front of the camera and enjoy doing it."