Hi, Sadie. You’ve produced and star in a new film, Set the Thames on Fire. What’s it all about?
It’s set in a dystopian, futuristic London, where London has flooded and the dark, toxic, crazy dregs of society are left behind. I play a disgusting, foul-mouthed landlady who’s got an eye for young boys. It’s got a great cast, including Sally Phillips and Noel Fielding.
Erm, isn’t a film about floods a bit of a touchy subject?
Well, when we first talked about this film, there weren’t these huge floods that we’ve seen in the last five years. It is odd that this film is making a few predictions.
What was it like glamming down for a role? Did you get the bus home like that and scare people?
I didn’t get on the bus, but I did get some crazy looks on set. I have dirty teeth and saggy boobs and prosthetics to make me look old. I did have to keep reminding myself: “God, I don’t look like this.”
You’re 50, but you’ve aged amazingly well. Have you been drinking from the Holy Grail (1)?
Thank you. I’ve certainly being drinking a few bottles of Rioja. I like to exercise and eat well, but there’s other times I eat hundreds of sandwiches and drink too much red wine. The secret is: don’t do everything all of the time.
Which of the following are actual beauty recipes from your Nourish: Mind, Body & Soul book, and which have we made up? Avocado face pack?
That’s real.
Can you eat it afterwards?
There’s avocado, eggs, honey. You could eat it after. Sometimes natural ingredients are best to whiten and tighten the skin.
Mars bar massage?
You could do that actually. I’m sure a lot of people do. It’s not in my book though.
Lemon eyewash? Green tea bath?
Lemon eyewash? You wouldn’t want to do that. You can do a lemon brightening, and a cucumber eyewash. Green tea bath is one of mine. There are so many things you can try in the bath.
Does your bathroom resemble a branch of Lush?
Yes. It’s got everything. I’ve just got back from India, and brought this amazing basil oil and these Shamanic incense sticks. So now my house smells like a yoga retreat.
How far have you got through the lifetime supply of Jelly Tots you presumably got paid in for starring in their ad?
I think at the time I got a lot and I probably tried to steal a lot, because I was four. I’ve definitely run out now.
You did [TV series] What Sadie Did Next and Eating With Sadie Frost. Could we see a follow-up?
I’d love to. I’ve got so many different things going on. There’s another book…
You can put in our Mars bar massage if you like?
Yeah, thanks for that. I’ll fit it a whole chapter if you want. I’d love to do more TV.
Do you walk around Debenhams and tidy up all the Floozie by Frost French rails (2)?
We do actually. The funny thing is, you go into there and you’ll see Jasper Conran (3) and Ben De Lisi (4) doing exactly the same thing. I was in Debenhams yesterday for a meeting, and I made sure everything was positioned and folded well.
Thanks, Sadie. You were unfortunately caught in the phone hacking scandal. Sorry on behalf of journalists everywhere. Are you a bit nervous now when anybody rings?
Not any more. I’m know it could still happen. It was a horrible time. For some people reason I was one of those people who were chosen, but I don’t think anybody cares any more.
Isn’t it a bit of a compliment that people thought you were interesting enough to hack into your voicemails?
I’m sure there’s lots of other people they’d like to hack.
Do you miss the old days when journalists used to just go through your bins instead?
I don’t miss that. I love my privacy.
- Set the Thames on Fire is in UK cinemas this autumn
Footnotes
(1) But choose wisely. For as the true grail will bring you life, the false grail will take it from you. (2) Sadie and Jemima French now design their Frost French fashions exclusively for Debenhams. (3) British fashion designer. (4) American fashion designer.
