Loose Women star Janet Street-Porter has opened up about the difficulties of growing old as she admits she’s ‘worried’ about a new issue that has arisen in her life

Janet Street-Porter is determined to keep her spirits up despite facing a challenge shared by millions of other seniors. The 78 year old telly favourite from Loose Women has realised that her driving licence is about to expire, placing her among the 5.7 million older UK drivers who hold a licence.

Once you’re over 70, DVLA regulations require you to renew your licence every three years, which involves declaring your fitness to drive. Janet, however, is battling glaucoma—a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss.

Amidst this, Janet is striving to embrace ageing with a positive outlook. In her column for The I, she expressed her concerns: “Having set out my goal, I now have something new to worry about.

“An ITV programme this week highlighted the fact that 5.7 million pensioners have driving licences simply by completing a self-assessment form from the DVLA. Of course, this is open to abuse and there must be a better way to keep our roads safe.

Janet Street Porter, Prue Leith, Lesley Joseph and Gloria Hunniford ( 
Image:
ITV)

“But then I discovered my own licence runs out at the end of this year, and so I must do everything in my power to keep it. I have glaucoma, but it doesn’t impact on my driving at all.”

She confessed that staying upbeat is requiring “all of her mental power” as she contemplates the licence renewal process, reports the Express.

Despite acknowledging the “downsides” of getting older, Janet is thankful she’s still gracing our screens.

Following her hip replacement in October, Janet confessed she “immediately realised” the necessity to “work at my recovery”. She expressed initial fears of becoming “stooped” or joining the “army of shufflers”, both outcomes she is determined to avoid.

For inspiration on ageing gracefully, Janet looks up to Hollywood icon Dick Van Dyke. The star of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, who will celebrate his 100th birthday in December, recently shared that he hits the gym thrice a week.

In a conversation about the secrets to a long life with Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen on the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, the actor mused: “When you think… I go back to 1925, I’m almost 100. This is insane. I’m going to have a big party.

“Somebody said, ‘to what do you attribute your age and physical condition?’ and I said, ‘I’ve always exercised.'”.