“There’s so much to be gained from being around people who are smarter than you. If there aren’t any to hand, read about them or observe them in the media. Barack Obama, for example, is so clever, so inclusive. Whenever a problem comes up these days, I find myself saying, ‘How would Barack address this?’ In any conflicted situation my feeling is that he would look to identify the common ground. That in itself is a lesson worth learning.

“It’s amazing the way in which your child can also prove to be your teacher. If you’re lucky, you pass whatever values and wisdom you have on to them, then they take the ball and run with it, eventually passing it back to you. Jordan [Lulu’s son with hairdressing mogul John Frieda] married last year and, boy, did I win the lottery there! His wife, Alana, is so loving and great with me, as is he. I’m a control freak, harder on myself than anyone else could be, yet they’re gentle with me always, pointing out my good points, being kind. I’m sure they roll their eyes often, but as in all the great religions, they start from a loving place. I learn so much from that.

“The most difficult thing to achieve – yet the most attractive quality in others – is being comfortable with yourself. Awareness of your own mortality and appreciating each moment helps bring you there. My tendency is to rush towards the future. Only lately am I learning to live in the moment. I recommend it.”

The pearl: “Laughter is a vital medicine. Being able to laugh at your own ridiculousness is, too. Don’t take it all too seriously.”

Lulu stars in a new musical, Here Come the Girls, which begins touring in Edinburgh on November 21 (www.herecomethegirls.org)

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