Joanna Lumley reveals legendary singer Frank Sinatra once chatted her up

‘He said “shall we leave now?”‘ Joanna Lumley, 74, reveals legendary singer Frank Sinatra once chatted her up at a party when she was in her early 20s

Joanna Lumley has revealed she was once propositioned by legendary singer Frank Sinatra at a party as her career was just taking off in the 1960s. 

The celebrated actress, 74, has become a household name thanks to starring roles in a string of hit shows, notably the hugely successful sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. 

But Lumley, then in her early 20s, was a relative unknown while attending a star-studded showbiz party thrown by film producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli following her brief appearance in 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. 

Looking back: Joanna Lumley has revealed she was once propositioned by legendary singer Frank Sinatra at a party as her career was just taking off in the 1960s

Recalling the moment she caught Sinatra’s eye during an online chat with Gyles Brandreth, she said: ‘There were some pretty girls, and I had been a Bond girl, so I was a “pretty girl” and was allowed to go along.

I put on a nice dress, and I was thinking, “I get to see Frank Sinatra!” 

The actress was duly introduced to Sinatra by party host David Niven, Jr – the son of actor David Niven. 

Old blue eyes: Lumley was in her early 20s when she met Sinatra, by then well into his 50s, at a showbiz party thrown by film producer Albert 'Cubby' Broccoli

Old blue eyes: Lumley was in her early 20s when she met Sinatra, by then well into his 50s, at a showbiz party thrown by film producer Albert ‘Cubby’ Broccoli 

Bond girl: Lumley had previously starred in  in 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty's Secret Service (pictured)

Bond girl: Lumley had previously starred in  in 1969 James Bond movie On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (pictured) 

She said: ‘I went and stood by the door and Old Blue Eyes got out of the limousine and came in with much greeting, bants and chuffing and so on.’ 

‘Niv Jr said, “This is Joanna Lumley.” And Frank looked at me with those great blue eyes and said, “Shall we leave now?”‘

By then well into his 50s, Sinatra’s third marriage to the significantly younger Mia Farrow had ended a year or so prior to his meeting with Lumley. 

Old times: The actress was duly introduced to Sinatra by party host David Niven, Jr - the son of actor David Niven (Lumley pictured in 1969 film Some Girls Do, her first notable role)

Old times: The actress was duly introduced to Sinatra by party host David Niven, Jr – the son of actor David Niven (Lumley pictured in 1969 film Some Girls Do, her first notable role)

Lumley, who has been happily married to conductor Stephen Barlow since 1986, also revealed she sends unsigned Valentine’s Day cards to friends every year. 

She said: ‘Every year you should send a card to someone who really isn’t expecting it, and disguise your writing.

‘I try to do it every year and pick people at random from my address book.’