Joanne Froggatt celebrates her 40th birthday and says it shouldn’t be ‘negative milestone’ for women

Joanne Froggatt has celebrated her recent 40th birthday with an inspirational post about ageing on Instagram.

The Downton Abbey actress posed with a cocktail with golden ’40’ balloons as she partied last weekend.

In a long caption, the Liar star, who revealed she had split from her husband James Cannon earlier this year, discussed the milestone birthday, saying it should not be seen as a negative thing for women.

She said: ‘So I turned 40 last weekend and I felt I couldn’t let it pass without saying that from the moment I turned 39 I was constantly asked how I felt about being nearly 40.

‘My answer was, “I don’t know, I’ve only just turned 39, ask me when I’m 40!” 

‘I can now answer that question. I feel fantastic.’

She continued: ‘My age has been public knowledge since I started working professionally as an actress at 16, so lying about my age was never an option it is also something I never wanted to do.

‘As a woman (especially in the industry I’m in) I felt that 40 was seen as this negative milestone. 

‘”Are you fearful of losing your looks?” “Are you worried about being a woman in this industry and being 40?” “Don’t forget the clock is ticking, when are you going to have a baby?” “There is less work for actresses over 40 does that worry you?” Are just some of the questions I’ve been asked over the last year.’

The former Coronation Street star went on to reveal that she feels the best she has ever felt in her body.

She added: ‘I feel so incredibly grateful for my first 40 years of life. I feel the happiest and most comfortable in my own skin that I have ever felt. 

‘I am wiser, calmer, more confident in myself and my own decisions than I was in my 20’s. 

‘I am so fortunate to have the most wonderful people in my life, who have gone out of their way to make me feel special and loved even though I couldn’t celebrate with a party (as I’d hoped) or see a lot of my loved ones.

’40 (or any age) is not something to be feared it is something to be celebrated, I am so grateful to be healthy and happy and I am so grateful to be looking forward to the next 40 years of whatever life may bring. 40 is amazing!’ 

In February, Joanne revealed she had split from her husband of eight years.

The Anna Bates star revealed: ‘We’ve actually been separated for a little while, I’m looking to the future. 

‘I’m just going to embrace this year and see what happens.’

The pair married in 2012 and their private ceremony at a church in Oxfordshire was attended by members of the Downton cast. 

The actress, 39, described the day as the happiest of her life.

The couple appeared devoted to each other, and the revelation that they have split will take the world of showbusiness by surprise. They still plan to work together on film and TV projects.