The Oldie Awards 2026 Gyles Brandreth Introduction

The Oldie Awards 2026 Gyles Brandreth Introduction and mentioning Pete Murray who could not be here to collect his award. This year’s winners are: Lady Antonia Fraser, 93 – Oldie of the Year Lady Antonia Fraser wrote The House That Spoke: The History of a Home last year – 71 years after her first book, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Susan Hampshire, 88 – Oldie Comeback Kid Susan Hampshire starred in The Forsyte Saga as Fleur in the late 1960s. Then, last year, she returned as Lady Carteret in the prequel, The Forsytes. Pete Murray, 100 – Oldie Champion Disc Jockey Pete Murray first appeared on Radio Luxembourg in 1949. He has just hosted a celebratory edition of The Boom Top Five on Boom Radio to mark his 100th birthday in September 2025. (Not pictured) Stephen Frears, 84 – Silver-Screen Evergreen Oldie Over a period of six decades and with remarkably little fuss, Stephen Frears has established himself as our pre-eminent film director. Maggi Hambling, 80 – Oldie Finest Artist Now aged 80, Maggi is still going at full blast. She is in her studio - or by the North Sea with her sketchbook - by 6am every morning. Anita Lasker-Walfisch, 100 – Oldie Maestra Anita Lasker Wallfisch, 100, a German-British cellist, was a member of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. After the war, she co-founded ensembles including the English Chamber Orchestra and has been honoured for her contributions to music and Holocaust remembrance. Michael Heath, 90 – Oldie King of the Toons At 90, Michael Heath remains our finest observational cartoonist. Since he first placed a cartoon in Melody Maker in 1955 – more than 70 years ago – he has drawn people with the clothes, hair and mannerisms of the moment. In Great Bores of Today for Private Eye, he nailed the appearance of gallery-owners, weekend brunchers and cocktail bar bimbos. He has now happily revived Bores in The Oldie.