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Joanna Lumley boasts an incredible career, having starred in numerous hit movies and popular TV shows over the years. The actress, 79, is best known for her roles in Amandaland and
Absolutely Fabulous. She's also worked as a model, presenter, and producer and has penned several books. The multi-talented star is now due to front a new ITV travel series, Joanna
Lumley's Danube, which sees her embark on an adventure across the heart of Europe as she follows the river. As we welcome Joanna back to our TV screens, here we take a look at her life
away from the cameras... JOANNA'S EARLY YEARS Joanna was born in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, in British India. Her mother, Thyra Beatrice Rose, was English, while her father, Major
James Rutherford Lumley, was born in Lahore with Scottish and English ancestry. The family travelled to England on the HMT Empire Windrush, with Joanna's parents later returning to
Asia. She opted to stay in England, boarding at Mickledene School in Kent. She then attended Holmhurst St Mary's Convent School, the Ridge, which is run by the Community of the Holy
Family. Joanna was turned down by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art when she was 16, leading her to attend the Lucie Clayton Finishing School in London. WHAT HAS JOANNA STARRED IN? Joanna
boasts a varied career as an actress, model, presenter, author, and producer. She started out her career as a photographic model, before making some small TV appearances. Her acting career
kicked off in 1969 with a small role in Some Girls Do, and she went on to appear as a Bond girl in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Many will remember her brief stint as Elaine Perkins
in ITV's Coronation Street. Joanna's first major role was as Purdey in The New Avengers, followed by Sapphire & Steel. The BBC comedy series Absolutely Fabulous, in which she
starred with Jennifer Saunders, proved to be one of the biggest roles of her career. The sitcom ran until 2012, and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie was released in 2016. In more recent years,
Joanna has starred in TV series such as Amandaland, Fool Me Once, and Finding Alice. She's also a radio presenter, author, and has fronted numerous TV documentaries throughout her
media career. IS JOANNA MARRIED? Joanna is married to conductor Stephen Barlow. They married in 1986 after meeting at a mutual friend's wedding. Recalling the moment she met her
husband, Joanna previously told The Independent: "I felt like I'd had a kind of electric shock; it wasn't a matter of falling instantly in love, it was the impact of a
colossal shock, completely memorable." Joanna and Stephen reside in London together, but also own a home in the village of Penpont, Dumfriesshire, in Scotland. Prior to her wedding to
Stephen, Joanna was married to actor Jeremy Lloyd between 1970 and 1971. WHO IS JOANNA'S SON? In 1967, Joanna, then aged 21, welcomed her first child, a son named Jamie. His father is
photographer Michael Claydon. After splitting from Michael, Joanna raised Jamie as a single mother. Jamie has gone on to build a successful career as a photographer. He has worked all over
the world and has had his work displayed in numerous countries. Despite his mother's fame, Jamie tends to keep a low profile. Joanna is a doting grandmother to Jamie's two
daughters, Alice and Emily. _JOANNA LUMLEY'S DANUBE AIRS ON ITV1 AT 9PM ON FRIDAY, 23 MAY_