Iconic model Linda Lusardi has admitted she is ‘deeply embarrassed’ of the glamour modelling career that put her on the showbiz map.
The star, 67, spoke on Best’s Suddenly Single podcast about her work on The Sun’s legendary Page 3, on which she first appeared in 1976 at the age 18 and continued to 1988, while also undertaking nude shoots for men’s magazines.
Linda admitted that she feels a combination and pride, as she was also voted Page 3 girl of all time – despite being plagued with body image issues at the time.
She said: ‘I have mixed feelings about it. Part of me, which I had to admit, is deeply embarrassed by it. Part of me is proud, because if you’re going to do something, it’s good to be the best, and I got voted Page 3 girl of all time ten years after I finished…
‘It was different times, and you can’t put today’s values on the things that were happening in the 70s and 80s.’
Iconic model Linda Lusardi has admitted she is ‘deeply embarrassed’ of the glamour modelling career that put her on the showbiz map
The star, 67, spoke on Best’s Suddenly Single podcast about her work on The Sun’s legendary Page 3, on which she first appeared in 1976 at the age 18 and continued to 1988, while also undertaking nude shoots for men’s magazines (pictured in 1986)
Linda admitted that she feels a combination and pride, as she was also voted Page 3 girl of all time – despite being plagued with body image issues at the time (pictured in 2020)
On how she felt about body image at the time, despite being at the top of her game she admitted she wasn’t happy: ‘I wasn’t satisfied [with my body] when I was modelling. I look back now and think I’d given anything to look like I did then.’
Last year, Linda, now an actress and TV presenter, admitted: ‘I cringe at it now. The further I get from it and the more times are changing and attitudes are changing to all that sort of stuff, I suppose I find it slightly embarrassing.
‘It wasn’t anything to be ashamed of in those days, but looking back now, with today’s eyes, it’s like everything in those days is shameful. The way men treated women was shameful.’
A popular TV personality, Linda went on to a successful TV career, with roles in Brookside, The Bill and Hollyoaks and a year in Emmerdale as Carrie Nicholls, an ex-girlfriend of regular Tom King and mother of his secret child Scarlett.
Linda shares two children Lucy, 29, and Jack, 26, with her actor husband Sam Kane, 56, with whom she starred on Brookside.
Speaking about Sam, she said: ‘It’s finding the right person and not settling for somebody who’s wrong, which is what I did the first time…
Linda shares two children Lucy, 29, and Jack, 26, with her actor husband Sam Kane, 56, with whom she starred on Brookside
‘Sam and I were great mates before there was anything romantic, and I do think picking your partner is the most important decision you will ever make in your whole life…If you’re not happy with your partner then your life isn’t happy.’
Linda also discussed how ageing has affected her. She said: ‘Young people treat you differently when you get old…
‘They’re not interested in what you’ve got to say any more…People have a perception of people my age that isn’t real. If you’ve got that young person inside, you’ll always have that young person inside.’
‘Becoming a pensioner was a bit weird. Your kids have all left home, [and] your parents have just died. That was the biggest adjustment’.
Linda is pictured in 2018