麻豆约拍

Next week eight well-known senior citizens journey to India to experience retirement in another country. A few weeks ago, I met them all of the new cast with a group of other journalists at a special press launch promoting the forthcoming series.

While they told us what they learnt filming the programme, what did they teach me during the press conference? Some notes below.

1. Television does distort personality, it amplifies it

The people you warm to on screen are the same ones you warm to in real life. That’s a defining characteristic of the likes of Real Marigold Hotel: authenticity.

The chance to see the first episode at the press launch was enticing enough, but half an hour or so in the company of the participants left me feeling like I wanted to go on holiday with them. They quickly became my adopted family. 

2. Individual personalities don't change radically, they mature

Paul Nicholas is as charming and handsome now as he was when his sitcom character Vince tried in vain to reboot his failed relationship with Penny in Just Good Friends.

Rusty Lee exudes that zest for life she possessed in the original Good Morning Britain which helped make her a household name in the 80s.

And Denis Taylor displays all the passion for his sport and humility as a human being that makes me want to be a bit like him. Lovely as he is, he failed to change my ardent view on snooker.

3. When I'm older I'd like to be ... 

Meeting the cast gives me a hint of how I’d like to be (and how I'll probably be) in my senior years. I am happy to admit that I'm a little bit nervous about the prospect of being alone, or worse beset by loneliness. But a short time in the company of the cast and I end up thinking that my future self will turn out just about OK. I’m hoping I'll have cut down on the nail-biting and the wine too.

What I realise speaking to the participants in the programme (and reflecting on the first series) is that I don't engage in conversation with older people anywhere near as much as I'd like. At the same time they succeed in demystifying life as a senior citizen.

4. Real Marigold Hotel challenge assumptions

We make assumptions that old age is all infirmity, illness and irascibility, that age-old quirks are a block to new friendships, and that stubbornness stops insight.

It may do. But to assume that we stop being curious about the world around us when we pass 60 does us and those in that age bracket a massive disservice.

Like the first series, the cast of the Real Marigold Hotel series 2, remind me of the clichés and the stereotypes we all need to be vigilant of.

5. We should all listen to one another more - a lot more

Older people have been around for longer, ergo they have more stories to tell. And because we don't listen to those stories as much or as intently, we're bound to be surprised and delighted when we hear them. Denis Taylor is the master of such anecdotes. Rusty Lee comes a close second. Lionel Blair’s professional career demands an updated autobiography. I leave the press launch with renewed intent to reconnect with my older family members. 

6. When I'm older I'd also like to be ... 

When I'm Sheila Ferguson’s age I want to be as proud of my appearance as she is of hers. I want to cling on to the same level of irreverence Amanda Barrie does. I want to be as at ease with myself as Bill Oddie is. And when I'm Lionel Blair's age I'd like to be talking about the things I'd like to do next in life.

7. I don't want to succumb to loneliness, or bitterness

I want to meet new people from time to time, make new companions maybe even friends. I can see myself signing up for coach tours and cruises when I’ve retired. I don't want to turn into someone who looks suspiciously at the world around him. I want to keep moving, keep active, and keep engaged. I want to learn new things. I want to be open to new experiences. 

8. Robust conversations

Discussions with my new friends should be robust, enlightening, challenging, and warm. We shouldn't be coasting into our old age and giving up on discourse. A bit of feisty-ness would be useful. A wit and a sharp mind too, thank you very much.

I think I basically want to be Dr. Miriam Stoppard when I grow up.

9. Fun Fun Fun

There will need to be a sense of fun in order to embrace newness with relish. I'll need that from other people. There'll need to be one or two people who breeze into my world and take me by surprise. I need people to aspire to be a bit like. I want to laugh at myself having all of these experiences. I want others to laugh with me (but not at me). No-one should be getting too serious about things. There needs to be some levity. 

10. I want to take risks

I realise now what's been going on in the press launch for me. Whilst the other journalists are gesturing with their pens or scribbling down notes I, true to form, have descended into a spot of navel gazing. Good or bad, what emerges is how being in the presence of people I remember from my childhood who now have an opportunity to make another appearance on the small screen, that the opportunity to reflect on my approaching age has been all too difficult to resist. 

So as Lionel Blair talks about the villainous (non-dancing) roles he'd quite like to play in a TV drama, I end up scribbling how I want to take risks in my old age. I don't want to lose that sense of anticipation when I'm about to do something which just that little bit out of my comfort zone. I don't want my old age to be safe and boring. 

Jon Jacob is Editor, About the 麻豆约拍 Blog

• Watch clips from series 2 on the  programme website
• Catch up with residents from series 1 and series 2 in  on 麻豆约拍 Two and 麻豆约拍 iPlayer