Eamonn Holmes has slammed Britain for what he described as its “ageist” attitudes on GB News.
Speaking during a discussion about creativity in later life, Eamonn fumed people are often written off once they hit 60 or 65, despite evidence many reach their creative peak well into their 60s.
A survey of 2,000 UK adults over 60 found that two-thirds believe they are more creative now than they were in their 30s, while 94 per cent say they are more inventive and adventurous than previous generations.
Speaking about this on the People's Channel, Eamonn said: "I think we’ve all got a little way to go yet, but apparently the super 60s, we reach our creative peak at the age of 67 .”
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Commentator Tim Vincent said: “Apparently the super 60s, we reach our creative peak at the age of 67, so we’ve all got ages to go.
"But what’s surprising in this report is who’s already 67: Madonna, Kevin Bacon, Tim Burton I could understand, Gary Oldman maybe but there’s loads of people out there that are already in their creative zenith.
"They’re already putting out more than they ever done before. Sixty-three per cent feel more creative than when they were in their younger years.”
Eamonn Holmes said: “I think it’s very true because I do think speaking from experience, I think that this country is just ageist and our industry especially.”
Eamonn Holmes claimed that Britain is ageist
|GB NEWS
Mr Vincent said: “Which is ironic because we do have money to spend.
"We’re actually well, a little bit more than somebody that’s Generation Z, Generation X and Z that only 25 per cent haven’t had a drink in the last 12 months. At least our 56-year-olds still drink.”
Dawn Neesom said: “I think the names mentioned in that story, Tim, are knocking the ageism out of society. They’re still iconic. They still look good. They’re still producing great work. So I think being in your 60s now is a brilliant thing, isn’t it?”
Eamonn Holmes said: “I think it should be. I think people should be encouraged and there shouldn’t be written off at 60 or 65 or whatever.”
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Eamonn said that people get written off in their 60s
|GB NEWS
With 67 marking the age of stars like Madonna, Kevin Bacon, Gary Oldman, and Tim Burton, 69 per cent of over-60s report feeling more capable of achieving their creative goals than when they were younger.
Their top creative activities include writing, painting, learning languages, developing coding and AI skills, and learning piano.
Nearly seven in 10 over-60s feel more likely to reach their creative ambitions than in earlier years.
Popular outlets for their creativity include writing novels, painting, picking up new languages, mastering coding and AI, and learning to play the piano.
Other creative pursuits among over-60s include making jewellery, and even hosting a podcast, while 11 per cent are learning to master a potter’s wheel, according to a study by Art-K, which operates more than 60 studios across the UK.
The research also highlights the role of creativity in tackling isolation, with 88 per cent agreeing that engaging in creative hobbies helps combat loneliness in later life.
The benefits are wide-ranging: 44 per cent say it gives them a sense of achievement, 34 per cent report it boosts their mood and happiness, and 31 per cent find it reduces stress and anxiety.
Meanwhile, 79 per cent feel creative activities help them stay “mentally younger,” and 81 per cent believe that hobbies like art, writing, and music are essential for wellbeing in later life.