"We don't do funerals in my family." — Marie Helvin

Even in the early Eighties, when I was one of the most successful models in Britain, I didn't really have a voice. Time after time, when I should have spoken up, I simply walked away.

My marriage to David Bailey ended one morning in 1983, while he was away on a photo-shoot.

I wasn't interested in having children of my own. I know what would have happened - I'd have been left at home to look after the kids, and my career would have been over while my husband travelled the world.

I'm slim for professional reasons, and I work at it. I really want to continue working. There aren't that many models who are still doing it at 60.