08 March 2024 , 22:53
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Dame Sheila Hancock says that the Mirror’s Partygate revelations exposed Boris Johnson as a liar and led to a growing distrust of politicians.
The pioneering actress, in Newcastle for a fundraiser at the Live Theatre, captivated the sellout crowd with stories of her extraordinary career. Before taking to the stage on Thursday, she warned Tory tax cuts are coming at a devastating cost to things she holds dear, the NHS and the arts.
Just turned 91, Sheila is still working hard, and turned down the offer of a musical just this week. But she continues her mission “to make the world a better place”.
Dame Hancock at the Live Theatre in Newcastle, where she spoke to Mirror man Jeremy Armstrong (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)“Politics has been shamed over the past couple of years,” she told the Mirror. “The behaviour of politicians in lockdown means the country has lost faith in the system. And that is dangerous, as democracy is at risk if you do not have a system of government that works.”
She added: “We need journalism that relies on facts and not just lies. Lying has become endemic in this country. With Boris Johnson, it was the way he operated. There are people who will say anything that achieves their purpose. They almost do not consider it to be lying – nobody ever apologises. It is a lie but they believe it.”
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Our Partygate probe into No10 gatherings during lockdown, first reported on November 30, 2021, had a lasting impact, she said, and the Tories have become more desperate due to the loss of public confidence. “Government ministers are saying things that are so shocking, so divisive. Diplomacy has gone out of the window – they will say anything to get a vote. Cutting taxes is immoral in my opinion, because it hits so many things – and that includes the arts.”
Sheila supports the The John Thaw Foundation, which was set up in honour of her late actor husband (Getty Images)
(Daily Mirror)Now, after the success of the ITV drama Mr Bates v The Post Office, Sheila hopes modern TV and theatre will be used to tackle injustice. “I support anything the Live Theatre is doing, it is in peril,” she said. “If I can get a few quid in the kitty then that will be wonderful.”
The John Thaw Foundation, in honour of her late actor husband, has long supported the Live Theatre and its work with budding young talent. In her early days, she suffered terrible stage fright but was relaxed when she met the Mirror on stage.
“I’ve just turned down a lovely offer of doing a musical on tour. There are things which I can no longer do at my age, which saddens me,” she said. "I do love working with a company, meeting people of all ages and talking about something other than hip replacements.
“I also have always had a mission to make the world a better place. I have got to an age where I don’t really care if people attack me. I don’t think people realise the impact of these drastic cuts on the arts and on councils. They are having a dreadful time.
“People don’t think they matter but they do. Life is meaningless without the arts.” Sheila still receives letters about the The Two of Us, her best-selling book about her life with John, 20 years after it was published. One of the most talented actors of his generation, the Inspector Morse star died in February 2002.
“I never try to be a role model,” she said. “Past a certain age you become an inspiration but I have lived an ordinary life.” On working at 91, she advised: “Just keep being endlessly curious. I desperately want to learn, go on new adventures, meet new people. “There are so many books to be read, so many films to be seen, how can one ever want to stop wanting to find out about things?”