Living to 90 might sound like something to celebrate, but veteran actress Susan Hampshire, who will reach the milestone next May, sees longevity rather differently.

Hampshire believes that her generation is taking up precious space that should be reserved for the young.

During the Abigail's Party VIP night at London's Harold Pinter Theatre, she tells me: 'I'm hoping I'm not going to hang along for too much longer, that's all I can say.'

Hampshire, who starred in 1960s BBC classic drama The Forsyte Saga and Monarch Of The Glen, also believes her counterparts are snatching vital resources from younger generations.

She explains: 'Unfortunately, my age group are hanging about too much and we're taking the oxygen from the young.'

The actress adds: 'We need to move off. We've had our day in the sun, and we need to leave space for the young. I think we live in an overcrowded world and that makes it very difficult.'

And wisdom doesn't automatically come with age, opines the three-time Emmy Award-winning star, who has never tried drugs and didn't drink alcohol until her 30s.

'Well, a lot of us may not be that wise. We just might think we're wise, but we might be talking a lot of rubbish,' she says.

Hampshire has had a tumultuous time in the past decade, caring for her second husband, Sir Eddie Kulukundis, during his 14-year battle with Alzheimer's until his death in 2021. She had been married to the theatre impresario for 40 years.

'I have never even thought about remarrying,' she admits. 'He only died five years ago, and I enjoy every minute of his memory. He was so sweet and he was very kind.'

Despite her pessimistic opinion on long life, Hampshire is still acting and will reprise her role as aristocrat Lady Carteret in the second season of Channel 5's remake The Forsytes. 'I mean, if something comes along and I'm offered it, then that's a nice surprise,' she says. 'But obviously most people think I'm dead.'

It was truly no laughing matter for stand-up comedian Mark Steel when an old banger he put up for sale was brazenly stolen by a 'notorious' thug. Recalling the bizarre incident, the 66-year-old Kent-born funnyman reveals: '[He] came round, I thought he's gonna use it [the car] for some ill-fated burglary or something. He asked 'Can I get in?' I went 'Yeah,' and he got in and just drove off.' Shocking. 

Bold Bookish pulls no punches  

Is Bookish about to shock viewers with scenes of 'gay bashing' and derogatory language?

I only ask as the show's creator and star, Mark Gatiss, 59, insists such moments belong in the detective show's second series, which is set in a post-war London and returned to the

U&Alibi channel this week. 'It's very important to show it's not all roses,' said Gatiss, who is married to actor Ian Hallard, 51, during a Q&A talk at London's BFI Southbank.

He added: 'You can say these things and you can educate people sometimes, but without being too didactic about it.'

It's wine over wedding for Lady Eliza 

While the Sussexes were settling into their new home in the country on Wednesday night, Harry's cousin Lady Eliza Spencer was raising a toast with her fiance Channing Millerd. They were marking the launch of their £27-a-bottle wine, Lala V Rosé at luxury drinks retailer Hackstons in Knightsbridge.

The couple, pictured, who got engaged last August, admit making wine has taken priority over exchanging vows. Earl Spencer's daughter, 34, tells me: 'We've been together for almost 11 years, so what difference does getting married really make?' She adds: 'It's been fun doing something just the two of us. One day when we start planning our wedding, we will celebrate the wine with all the people we love.'

Summer isn't over yet, but Dawn O'Porter, 47, is already dreading its end. The TV presenter-turned-author and mother of two, who is married to actor Chris O'Dowd, explains: 'Having not written all summer, I am now terrified of the return to my desk. No amount of time off, head clearing, finding yourself or parenting gets books written.' 

Kaya's Ritchie pub rap not so Gentlemanly!

Director Guy Ritchie's Fitzrovia pub, Lore of the Land, which has twice gone up in flames, has a vocal critic.

Surprisingly, it's Kaya Scodelario, 34, who reprises her role as crime boss Susie Glass in the forthcoming series of his Netflix hit, The Gentlemen, next month.

She didn't exactly rave about the boozer during her interview on the Off Menu podcast. 'It's tiny, it's a bit – I don't want to s*** on it – it's a bit 'Mayfair'. It's a little poncy,' she said. 

But Kaya, pictured with Guy, soon softened the blow, adding: 'But that's OK. We need places like that too. They [the staff] were really generous and kind. We had incredible food, amazing wine.'

Broadcaster Nick Grimshaw has taken aim at the 'nepo babies' descending on Reading Festival, which kickstarted yesterday.

'Some people are calling this Canopy Stage the Nepo Baby stage because of the list of artists who are going to perform,' says the former BBC Radio 1 DJ, 42.

'They include Cruz Beckham, Violet Grohl, Chris Martin's son Moses and Liam Gallagher's son Gene.'

Nick adds: 'So you have the offspring of Coldplay, Oasis, Foo Fighters and the Beckhams. Nepotism goes a long way. You can still make good music. But can you make great music? Can you have the same hunger for it?'

The festival's other performers include Charli xcx and Florence & The Machine.

• Edited by Stephanie Takyi