Joanne had a boob job and tummy tuck operation in 2004 and has spoken about it for the first time.

She reckoned: 'It has let me out of my own personal prison.'

The elegant septuagenarian is one of almost a quarter of a million pensioners who, according to new research, go under the knife each year in the UK.

Joanne said she would not let her husband see her naked before the £60,000 operation to have her breasts lifted and a reduction in size from a D cup to a C cup.

Now after the surgery by top Harley Street plastic surgeon Dahlia Nield, she is confident enough to wear bikinis.

She said: 'Should older people have plastic surgery? I say "go for it!" Take a look in the mirror, naked, if you've got a lump on your nose or your boobs are dropping, whatever, you can get it fixed.'

Five feet six inches tall, Joanne, of Vicarage Park, Douglas, said her mother's comments at an early age about her breasts being like a 'cow's udders' had stayed with her for the rest of her life.

'My bosom was down to my waist. I used sticky tape, anything to keep them up,' she admitted.

Ten years ago, successive operations to remove a burst gall bladder left her stomach scarred and looking like 'rail tracks', she said.

'I never let my husband see me naked and without being covered by a bundle of clothes. I was desperately unhappy about it.'

The RADA-trained actress starred as a blonde bombshell in cult 60s series The Avengers, appeared with Roger Moore in The Persuaders and had a supporting role with Kirk Douglas in the film Apocalypse 2000 during a career going back 40 years.

She has been instrumental in setting up an Island branch of the acting union Equity and has been lobbying government for better opportunities for local acting talent in Manx-made films.

Joanne said she was delighted with the results of her plastic surgery.

'I'm happy with them — they are really fantastic,' she said. 'I can wear swimsuits, all sorts of things. I feel about 20. It has made such a difference.'

She said she had no problem now about her solicitor husband Ian, whom she married when she was 38, seeing her naked. 'He is the nicest person in the world. He thinks it's great.'

Joanne admitted there were dangers about going under the knife and she urged people to do research to find the right surgeon and if possible go by recommendation.

Research from insurance company AXA found that the stigma surrounding plastic surgery was vanishing with more than 230,000 UK pensioners admitting to cosmetic enhancement.
But Britain is left trailing in the global grey league, way behind Australia where one in 10 retirees goes under the knife.

Mrs Nield said: 'These figures show just how much cosmetic surgery is becoming a viable option for people of all age groups.

'It is no longer just a celebrity or superstar option but a real prospect for people who wish to change something that has affected their confidence, or to help them look as young as they feel.

'As long as the person is fit and healthy — which is established at a consultation and full examination — there is no reason why people in their 60s, 70s and even 80s can't consider cosmetic surgery.'