Growing Old Disgracefully

Meet the OAPs who have created a pensioners party playground! They’re living it large in Tenerife, blowing their pensions, winter fuel allowances and their children’s inheritance on cheap booze, conga and karaoke. GROWING OLD DISGRACEFULLY follows a cast of British oldies as they live it up in the sun. First, there are Scouse couple Gordon and Marie. With the kids all grown up, mortgage paid off and a final salary pension, they’re partying like its 1969. And as they winter in the sun, Gordon and his mates toast the winter fuel allowance: “We don’t care about spending the kids inheritance”. When their daughter visits from the UK to celebrate her fiftieth birthday, she cannot keep up with the party-mad pensioners. And next there’s Leapy Lee, aged 74, who is still performing his Sixties hit single to an ageing but enthusiastic audience. But the arrival of Bettina, his devoted but sex mad Scandinavian girlfriend means he needs a helping hand. ‘I think Viagra’s a wonderful invention’ Lee says. Grandfather Pete has already blown his own inheritance. Now he’s working in Tenerife as a bar promoter. But Jaegermeister-drinking Pete has received numerous warnings for boozing on the job. When he arrives late for work – and drunk – he’s quickly given a final warning. And there’s Cheryl, the hardcore, shot-sinking granny who loves to party with clubbers half her age. “My motto is, if you can’t remember it, it didn’t happen’.” They’re all ageing disgracefully: living booze fuelled lives of sex, anti-inflammatory drugs and rock and roll. They may have an appointment with the grim reaper - but he’ll have to catch them first.

In the first episode, FRISKY OVER 60, we show that, while the flesh might be weak, for many OAPS the mind is still willing – at least when it comes to the bedroom. Pop star turned pensioner in Mallorca, 75-year-old Leapy Lee, is currently reliving his sex symbol heyday, courtesy of adoring Danish girlfriend Bettina, 25 years his junior. 70 year old Prof Colin is currently dating six different women and admits to having sex at least twice a week, especially when he attends his favourite swingers party, hosted by his 67 year old friend, Richard. And 73-year-old psychic healer, Raimondo confesses to a very high libido. We follow him at a tantric sex session and watch him leading a belly-dancing class where he hopes his moves will attract a younger admirer…

In GRANNIES ON THE LOOSE, we follow the stories of three women determined to enjoy a liberated later life – without caring what anyone thinks. Christine, June and Sheila – a trio of sexagenarian Barnsley ladies bored with bingo – go on a four-day bender to Tenerife to celebrate June’s retirement with a pension party. Over in Brighton, 78-year old Bette is the darling of the gay clubbing scene, while 73-year old Londoner, Sheila has found a niche calling as the UK’s oldest topless model.

While some pensioners see retirement as a time to take things slowly, we meet the OAPs determined to rave to the grave. 24 Hour Party Pensioners tells the stories of elderly who party all night long. Scottish Pat visits her friends in Mallorca for a wild weekend of pole-dancing and flirting. Retired investment banker Dancing David, spends his days dancing along the Tenerife sea-front– to the amusement of Russian wife, Lubasha. And Alan and Fran who throw the wildest ex-pat parties in Tenerife, complete with naughty fancy dress.

In VIVA ESPANA! We meet some of the thousands of Brits who have retired to Spain and recreated a Little Britain. In Benidorm, “Flash” Harry is under constant threat of divorce from his wife, Maureen unless he gives up his 60 a day smoking habit. Nearby Cazza (64) and Val live on a campsite populated mainly by British ex-pats. We see them celebrate a ‘Onesie party” and head off on a girls-only Benibike tour causing traffic mayhem around Benidorm. Meanwhile, over in upmarket Mallorca, disgraced aristocrat, John Bosumworth, (68) has transported his upper class English lifestyle to the hills of Mallorca. The millionaire spends his days drinking from his extensive wine cellar, shooting and entertaining – accompanied by a younger girlfriend.

For other OAPs, retirement is a chance to behave like teenagers again. In Teenage Kicks, we meet Ricky the Biker who, despite having a heart condition and an anxious girlfriend, is intent on speeding on his motorbike along the Spanish Costa roads. Pensioner adrenalin addicts, Dennis and Sylvia Bloor, have spent £60,000 on riding rollercoasters around the world and enjoyed a trip on Alton Parks’ Nemesis ride 4,000 times. In Berkshire, 61-year old Jane loves fancy dress and, done up in her outlandish clothes and make-up to match, she goes clubbing with people a third her age. Wild child, Dee, is determined to live young and stay young in Tenerife, despite being in her 60s. She goes from sumo wrestling to paragliding – always watched over anxiously by long-suffering girlfriend, Eunice.