Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
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Astrologer Russell Grant says he could have stopped Brexit ‘tsunami’
Twinkly-eyed Russell Grant is a friend of the stars... and not just the constellations he’s charted for half a century. The former Strictly favourite has a galaxy of famous names in his contacts list and is a confidant of tycoons, royals and Hollywood actors.
But after chatting to Russell – who this week returns as the Daily Mirror’s astrologer – you can’t help wishing Theresa May had asked him to read her stars before she called that general election in 2017.
Because his forecast might have turned the political tide and stopped the Brexit “tsunami”.
He says: “Over the years I’ve had tycoons and new business people coming to me asking ‘When is a good time to launch this project?’
“So I look at how the planets are aligning and come up with the right time. Now if Theresa May, or anyone with a smattering of sense, had thought about it, they’d have done that before calling the election.
“And if she’d come to me I’d have looked at that chart and said ‘For God’s sake darling – don’t go for June 8!
“There’s a full moon squaring Neptune and that means everybody will feel ALL AT SEA!”
Celestial bodies aren’t my strong point, so Russell explains that “the two most watery planets were challenging each other” when the nation went to the polls.
And that was a portent of “disillusionment”.
“Look what’s happening now,” he sighs. “May is having a sovereignty tsunami – and it could sink her. It’s so frustrating. People pooh-pooh astrology, thinking it’s just predicting future events. It’s not.
“It’s about fulfilling your potential at the best time.
“So I’d have told Mrs May ‘By all means have the election on June 8 but remember this: To keep your head above water, honesty, candour and openness must prevail’.”
Russell’s own candour and openness have endeared him to millions and he won a whole new generation of fans in 2011 when he proved “fat blokes can dance” on Strictly.
The 67-year-old has also opened up about his physical and mental health battles. In 2008 he was a morbidly obese 26st recluse, suffering depression, heart problems and diabetes.
At one stage he contemplated suicide. “I was looking into the abyss,” he says. “Then one day I realised I couldn’t go on like this or I would die.
“I looked at my chart and the stars were challenging but I decided it would fuel my determination.”
Russell lost 10st before joining Strictly and pairing up with Flavia Cacace. “The rest’s history!” he laughs.
The star grew up in Middlesex and took up astrology as a hobby at the age of 14. He went to stage school and
became a successful actor in rep, musicals and on TV in shows like On the Buses and Doctor in the House.
He was once shortlisted to play Doctor Who and was Ryan O’neal’s distance double on the set of Stanley Kubrick’s 1975 movie Barry Lyndon.
“I was a very good-looking youth back then and all of 10st,” he says.
Russell had always continued his astrology and in 1978 got a daily newspaper column. Then his life changed when he met the Queen Mum and was photographed showing her star chart. He says: “They called me the ‘Astrologer Royal’ and I became the cuddly bloke in the brightly-coloured jumpers on TV.”
Russell also became a close friend and confidant of Princess Diana.
In the mid 90s he was forging a new career in the US but returned home to care for both his grandmothers when they developed Alzheimer’s.
Their battle had a huge impact and after they died he became an ambassador for three dementia societies.
He has made a TV documentary about the illness, which will air in March, and is also launching his own charity called Dance For Your Life.
He says: “It’s for people with dementia and Alzheimers and also those who want to get mobile and combat loneliness.
“I’m using all the stuff I was taught on Strictly to teach people to dance – to get back out there.”
But Russell admits he is haunted by the thought of developing dementia.
Last year he was in the ITV health show 100 Years Younger in 21 Days and had bio-marker tests for ageing. “When they told me my brain age was only 52 I started to cry,” he says. “My greatest fear is that I get dementia. I can’t bear to think about losing the power to control my own senses.
“I saw what happened to my nan and granny and I see what happens to others. People think you have to be 80 or 90 to get it but the youngest person I’ve met with dementia was 19 and I’ve met a number in their 30s and 40s.
“So I do everything possible to keep my brain active. Music, dancing and I read constantly. That’s one of the reasons I could never go into the jungle in I’m A Celebrity – no books.
“I want to keep my enquiring mind until the day I die. I’m an Aquarian – so I grow curiouser and curiouser.”
Russell’s year ahead is going to be “full of thrills.” He’s hosting disco specials at a London club, filming in Vienna and starring in the musical Hairspray at Southsea, Hants.
“I’d love to do a serious documentary on astrology too,” he says, “to let people know what it is really about.
“And I’m thrilled to be back as the Daily Mirror’s astrologer.”
Over the next days Russell will be looking ahead at our 2019 stars and what they have in store for our health, careers, finances and love life.
“2019 is going to be a massive year for the whole country,” he says.
“People are looking for hope that everything will be all right. And it will be. But remember – it’s all about discovering what you have inside and the right time to use it.
“Discover your creativity, unlock that potential and find your bliss!”
People are looking for hope that 2019 will be all right.. and it will be RUSSELL ON “MASSIVE CHALLENGE “AHEAD