Luton great grandmother Margaret Holyland isn’t your average senior citizen.
Instead of enjoying a nanny nap, doing the crossword or perhaps indulging in some gentle gardening, this septuagenarian sizzler has been advising sex guru Ann Summers about what older women really want.
Margaret, of Crawley Green Road, was chosen as one of eight panellists on ‘The O Team’ after a nation-wide search.
And tomorrow (June 13) she will feature on Channel 4’s Sex Toy Story, discussing the innovative range the all-women group helped design and develop for the chain.
She said: “I joined by default really. I went to the audition to keep my daughter company and I was selected.”
Her suggestions have already been incorporated in the new range – see-through packaging so products don’t have to be removed from the box and easier on/off switches for elderly customers with arthritis, rheumatism or stiff joints.
Margaret said: “Another of my ideas was a body stocking to give an all-over thrilling sensation but that was condensed to ‘fillets’ which go into your bra and do the same job.”
The panel met several times over a 12 month period and visited the Erotic Trade Show in Birmingham as part of their research.
Margaret said: “It wasn’t as sordid as it sounds. But someone tried to headhunt me to organise swingers’ parties – I told him I wasn’t that kind of girl.”
Her introduction to sex toys came 10 years ago when she was given a Rampant Rabbit as a joke. “Now I’ve realised they really do help – they’ve certainly spiced up my life,” she smiled.
The mum-of-four has yet to see how everyone will react to her new interest but admitted: “I’m sure I’ll get some strange looks from the neighbours and the girls in my Zumba class.
“But I got the OK from my husband and that’s what really matters.”