I’m 81 but still pay £1k to go to Ibiza’s famous Ocean Club – I just drink cups of tea instead of booze

FORGET slowing down and staying in, a new generation of grandmas are proving that there’s no age limit to being fierce and fabulous.

‘Why shouldn’t I go partying in Ibiza?’

Joan Higham, 81, lives in Hindley, Wigan

“As the beat throbs through the speakers, I look at the people dancing in the Ibiza sunshine. Then I’m on my feet, too. I may be the oldest person here by decades, but I don’t care. I know that every day counts.

I’ve always loved dancing. As a teenager, I’d be at the local dancehall with my girlfriends every Saturday night, sporting a dress I’d made myself.

In 1958, I was 15 and tapping my feet along to the rock ’n’ roll music when a handsome man called Johnny asked me to dance.

He was 21, kind and a great mover. Walking me home that night, he told me he’d be back at the dancehall the following week. I knew he was special.

We got engaged when I was 18, and were married in 1962. I had my daughter Julie, now 60, in 1964, and Jayne, now 58, in 1966.

I loved being a mum, and by then, Johnny and I ran a local pub together, so we didn’t have much time off.

‘People wanted to know about the older woman having a great time’

I was so excited to become a grandma when Martin was born in 1992, followed by Vanessa in 1994. Johnny and I retired in 1999, and four years later, our granddaughter Emma was born.

Johnny and I had regular holidays and even made it to Ibiza for a week when I was in my 50s, although we didn’t go near the clubs and bars. I was so glad that we took those trips together, because I lost Johnny in 2008, when he was 71 and I was 65. It was such a difficult period.

However, as time went on, I knew I had a decision to make – I could stay at home and be miserable, or I could go out and enjoy the life I had.

I joined a local ladies’ club and made new friends, made sure that I walked for 40 minutes in nature every day, plus I’d take day trips with friends and I travelled abroad with the family.

In 2016, when I was 74, I went to Tenerife with the grandkids, and it was wonderful. Being around young people helps me feel young and in touch with what’s going on.

This year, we decided to do it again – this time, to Ibiza. I loved it from the minute we arrived in Playa d’en Bossa.

Our hotel had entertainment every night, and I was up there dancing on the stage. I didn’t recognize the tunes – it was a world away from the music of my teenage dancehall days – but it was brilliant fun.

One day, we all went to Ocean Beach, an all-day club experience. You pay a minimum of £1,000, which gives you a private booth and waiting staff, access to the pool and Jacuzzi, plus food and drink.

I don’t drink alcohol and I can’t swim, but I just thought: ‘Why not?’ From midday until evening, I ate sushi, drank tea and danced.

Everyone seemed happy to see me there. Handsome young men asked me to dance and take photos with me. People wanted to know more about the older woman having a great time.

Emma put videos of us on TikTok, which went viral, and I was amazed at the comments from people who enjoyed watching me have a good time.

And why shouldn’t I? If Johnny had seen me shaking it in Ibiza, he’d have been proud.

At my age, you don’t know how much time you have left. I intend to enjoy every second.”

‘I plan to be buried in my best dress!’

Hilary Whelan, 65, is a model and actress and lives near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, with partner Ian Gilchrist, 58, who works at a university.

“Walking on to the set of a hit TV show, I had to pinch myself. I had my hair and make-up done, I could see A-list celebrities getting ready to be filmed and there was a buzz in the air as the cameras prepared to roll. I was thrilled to be part of it all.

People think of grandmas as having grey hair and wearing slippers, leading quiet and uneventful lives, but, in fact, we’re living life to its fullest, rather than fading into the background.

It doesn’t matter whether I’m doing an acting job, a modelling assignment or simply playing with my six-year-old grandson Billy in my garden – my hair is always done, and my lipstick is perfect.

I wouldn’t dream of looking any other way.

Growing up, I saw how much my mum enjoyed dressing up, and that inspired me.

Like her, it boosted my mood and gave me confidence. I realised that if you look good, you feel good, too.

As a teenager in the ‘70s, I loved nothing more than getting glammed up in fancy halter-neck tops.

My appearance was important in my career, too, as I climbed the ladder at a utility company in my 20s — being well-turned-out was essential for being taken seriously.

In 1988, I became a mum to my son Adam, now 36. Even with a newborn, I always made sure I had make-up on, even if I’d been up all night.

I took early retirement in 2016 when I was 57, and decided to follow my teenage dream of becoming an air hostess, which had always felt like an exciting, glamorous job.

My partner Ian, who I’d met online in 2005, was very supportive.

I trained on a residential course for a month and was the oldest recruit by at least 10 years, but I didn’t feel remotely self-conscious.

I flew everywhere from Dubrovnik to Madeira and loved it.

Passengers assumed that I’d been doing the job for years, and were surprised when I told them I hadn’t.

When I turned 60 in 2018, I was ready for a new adventure.

By then, I was a grandma to Billy, but with a wardrobe of stylish outfits and a simple skincare regime of soap, water and moisturiser, I felt I was in my prime.

‘I believe embracing glamour has led to exciting opportunities’

A few months after my 60th, I saw an advert asking for film extras.

I got my first job soon after, in a short film for people with memory difficulties, and it grew from there.

I’ve had so many amazing jobs, including shoots for hotels, cruises and airports, and I’ve been an extra in the movie Twist and on Netflix hit The Crown.

I’ve also been in an advert for Booking.com with Idris Elba.

I believe that taking care of my appearance, embracing glamour and letting my personality shine through has helped me get amazing opportunities.

I’ve never had Botox, fillers or any surgery, and I think that’s to my advantage, because my face still moves!

I have no plans to slow down, and I’ll never give up the glamour. I plan to be buried in my best party dress and lipstick!”

‘I’m a biker chick’

Jackie Brealey, 65, is a part-time Pilates teacher and lives in Aldershot, Hampshire, with her husband Mick, 66, who’s retired.

“Hearing the roar of my Harley Davidson motorbike, my five-year-old granddaughter Aurora runs to the window and waves excitedly.

She knows it’s her nana in the leather jacket, blonde hair tucked under the crash helmet – not a bus pass in sight!

I love to show Aurora that getting older doesn’t mean you have to rein in your passions.

I couldn’t be more different from my own wonderful grandmas, Phyllis and Mary. They didn’t even drive, and were mainly found baking or knitting.

I didn’t discover my confidence and find the courage to stand out until my 40s.

My dad was strict when I was growing up, then I was married twice, at 21 and 30.

In 2006, when I was 47 and my second marriage ended, I was a mum to my daughter Katie, now 35, and my son Matthew, 30.

For the first time, I felt like I had the opportunity to find out who I really was.

‘Fashion has no age limit – I’m comfortable in my looks’

Several months later, I met Mick when I was water-skiing.

He was kind and gentle, but also adventurous and sexy, with a penchant for funky, patterned shirts.

He’d been a biker for years, and the first time he took me out on the back of his Harley, it was scary, but I loved the feeling of freedom and power.

Mick and I married in January 2009 in Mauritius, just the two of us, and it was such a special day.

One of Mick’s best qualities has always been to encourage me to express my personality through clothes. Long gone are the simple trousers and tops I used to wear.

Now I love to dress up in floaty bohemian dresses or biker-style denim and cowboy boots.

Some people might say I’m too old for it, but I know now that fashion has no age limit.

I’m comfortable with my looks and look after my skin by cleansing, toning and moisturising daily.

I use tinted moisturiser, face powder, eyeliner and neutral eyeshadow.

And I never leave the house without mascara!

I developed a passion for motorbikes and in 2013, passed my test.

That same day, Mick presented me with a Harley Davidson of my own, which was amazing.

When people see a size-10 woman in her mid-60s roaring around on a huge motorbike, they raise their eyebrows, but I don’t care. I love challenging other people’s perceptions.

I also enjoy singing and after having lessons, I now regularly perform with a band at local pubs.

My signature number is Highway To Hell by AC/DC.

Aurora loves me being different from other grans.

I hope I’m a positive role model, teaching her that age is just a number, and it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.