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Dame Joanna Lumley has made a candid admission about ageing, acknowledging that she doesn't have "much time left". The renowned actress, who initially began her career as a

model, has established herself as a pillar of British acting over the years. At 79, she boasts an impressive CV, with early successes in popular TV roles during the 1960s before

transitioning to film. Among her array of high-profile credits includes a Bond film appearance in 1969 and, most notably, her role in the 1992 hit BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous alongside

Jennifer Saunders, which earned instant acclaim. Having concluded its original run after four years, although followed by numerous specials, the show remains one of the UK's most

beloved and enduring sitcoms. Away from her acting endeavours, Dame Joanna is set to celebrate her 80th birthday next year and has opened up on the reality of getting older, admitting that

she hasn't got "much time left". While marking her 79th birthday earlier this month, she confided in Vernon Kay during his BBC Radio 2 show, saying: "As you near the top

of the hill, you suddenly think, 'Gosh, there's not all that much time left". She remarked: "My time must be coming quite soon, and I don't want to have wasted a

minute of being on this beautiful planet. I used to panic when I was young, but as I've got older, I've started to live day to day. With age, you work out what matters. I always

knew that good stuff would come along when I was older." As the countdown to her 80th birthday next May gets underway, she has made it clear that she isn't seeking any lavish

celebrations for the milestone. Confessing to the Mail that she finds the thought of an elaborate party off-putting, she expressed her preference for working instead: "No, why would you

do that? So on my big, special day, fingers crossed, I'll be working. It's always good luck to be working on your birthday." Meanwhile, viewers can look forward to seeing her

back on television today with the launch of her latest programme, Joanna Lumley's Danube on ITV. The new series will take audiences on a global journey with Dame Joanna, starting with

a visit to Germany's Black Forest and the origin of the Danube river. Joanna Lumley's Danube is set to air tonight at 9pm (May 23) on ITV.