Joanna Lumley Warns of “Hidden Crisis” as 1.5 Million Older Britons Face Christmas Alone

Dame Joanna Lumley has issued a powerful warning ahead of Christmas, describing loneliness among older people as a “crisis hidden in plain sight,” as new figures reveal that up to 1.5 million elderly individuals in the UK are expected to spend Christmas Day alone.

The warning follows the release of a new poll by Age UK, which paints a stark picture of isolation during what is traditionally considered a season of togetherness. According to the survey, 11 per cent of older adults will eat Christmas dinner by themselves, while 5 per cent will not see or speak to anyone at all on 25 December.

Lumley, a long-time supporter of Age UK’s work, said the emotional toll of loneliness can be overwhelming. “The silence can be deafening,” she said. “For many older people, Christmas simply magnifies an isolation they live with every day.”

She has now been joined by a group of high-profile figures backing Age UK’s latest winter appeal against loneliness, including Dame Judi Dench, Brian Cox, and Miriam Margolyes. Together, they are urging the public to take practical action to ensure no older person feels forgotten this Christmas.

Dench described the festive period as one of the most difficult times of the year for many elderly people. “For so many older people, Christmas can be a time of silence,” she said. “While the rest of the world appears to be celebrating, they are left sitting alone with memories and worries.”

Actor Brian Cox echoed the concern, calling the scale of loneliness “a tragedy we don’t talk about enough.” He added that society often underestimates how quickly isolation can take hold, particularly after bereavement, illness, or declining mobility.

Margolyes was equally direct in her appeal. “Growing older shouldn’t mean disappearing into the background,” she said. “We don’t stop needing connection, care, and recognition simply because we’re no longer young. We need to be seen, heard, and celebrated.”

Last Christmas, Age UK volunteers logged more than 70,000 minutes on the phone providing companionship and reassurance to isolated older people across the country. The charity says the demand for support continues to rise as the cost-of-living crisis, reduced public services, and shrinking family networks leave many pensioners struggling both emotionally and financially.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Age UK, said the charity’s work during winter months is now more vital than ever. “Loneliness can be as damaging to health as many long-term physical conditions,” he said. “At Christmas, when isolation feels even sharper, public support allows us to provide friendship, warmth, and practical help to those who need it most.”

He added that simple acts can transform someone’s winter. “Whether it’s a friendly phone call, helping someone attend a local lunch club, or making a donation that funds our services, every gesture matters. No one should have to face the cold and darkness alone.”

Age UK’s services include daily phone check-ins, community social groups, advice lines for those struggling with heating costs, and support for people recently bereaved. The charity reports that a significant proportion of callers contacting its helpline during winter report not having spoken to anyone else that day.

For many older people, the combination of reduced mobility, loss of loved ones, and shrinking social circles creates a cycle of isolation that is difficult to break without intervention. Charities warn that Christmas, with its intense focus on family and celebration, can deepen feelings of invisibility and abandonment.

Health experts have long linked chronic loneliness to increased risks of depression, anxiety, heart disease, and cognitive decline. Studies suggest that prolonged social isolation can be as harmful to health as smoking or obesity. Yet campaigners argue that loneliness remains one of the least openly discussed public health challenges in Britain.

Lumley said she hopes the campaign will prompt people to look beyond their immediate circles this Christmas. “It’s not about grand gestures,” she said. “It’s about remembering that someone nearby might be sitting in silence, waiting for a voice, a knock on the door, or a moment of kindness.”

As festive preparations sweep the country, Age UK is urging the public to remember those who may be facing the holiday with no visitors, no phone calls, and no shared meal. The charity’s message is stark but hopeful: with collective compassion, isolation does not have to be inevitable.

This Christmas, campaigners say, one small act of connection could mean the difference between loneliness and belonging for someone who desperately needs both warmth and human companionship.