Joan Collins shoots new film in Southsea

The 83-year-old Golden Globe winner was on location in Southsea and at the Queens Hotel in Clarence Parade on Monday and yesterday for her new film, ‘The Time of Their Lives’.

The film, which is also being shot in Bournemouth, follows two women heading off on a journey after escaping from their retirement home.

Collins plays former Hollywood siren Helen, who bids to gate-crash her ex-lover’s funeral in France and is assisted by Priscilla, played by BAFTA-winner Pauline Collins.

The two actresses were both on set and also filmed scenes in the hotel. A body double for Pauline Collins was filmed leaping into the sea after a dummy for a child-rescue scene that will form part of the film.

A spokesman at the hotel, who wished to be unnamed, said: ‘I can confirm Joan Collins and a production crew were here at the hotel earlier this week.
‘They were filming in and around the hotel, such as in the restaurant, the lounge and in the bedrooms.’

The movie is being directed by Call the Midwife director Roger Goldby.

Despite working in the luxury hotel, the Hollywood star was less than impressed about the downpours on the South coast.

She said: ‘It’s lovely being in Portsmouth, it’s just a shame about the wretched weather.’

Collins has been keeping her followers informed about the news on social media.

She posted a picture of her relaxing in one of the hotel’s rooms yesterday saying: ‘Working hard on location at #TOTLFilm whew! Actually I am. This is just the lunch break!’

She then headed down to have a look at the city’s famous landmark, the Spinnaker Tower in Gunwharf Keys later on in the day.

She said: ‘A lovely British summer evening by the Emirates Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth.’

Picture by UKNIP: Joan Collins outside the Queens