Harriet Addison

Deputy Editor, Evening Standard. (formerly Deputy Editor, The Times Weekend)

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Why won't Gen Z talk about this taboo subject (nb I don't think it's just Gen Z... ) https://t.co/uvU0Nq03Vw

[Cian McCarthy @arealmofwonder]

Rest in peace, Patricia Routledge 🙏🏻

In memory of her, I encourage everyone to read these words of hers from February last year.

Whether young or old, you're bound to get something out of it.

*****

"I’ll be turning 95 this coming Monday. In my younger years, I was often filled with worry — worry that I wasn’t quite good enough, that no one would cast me again, that I wouldn’t live up to my mother’s hopes. But these days begin in peace, and end in gratitude.

My life didn’t quite take shape until my forties. I had worked steadily — on provincial stages, in radio plays, in West End productions — but I often felt adrift, as though I was searching for a home within myself that I hadn’t quite found.

At 50, I accepted a television role that many would later associate me with — Hyacinth Bucket, of Keeping Up Appearances. I thought it would be a small part in a little series. I never imagined that it would take me into people’s living rooms and hearts around the world. And truthfully, that role taught me to accept my own quirks. It healed something in me.

At 60, I began learning Italian — not for work, but so I could sing opera in its native language. I also learned how to live alone without feeling lonely. I read poetry aloud each evening, not to perfect my diction, but to quiet my soul.

At 70, I returned to the Shakespearean stage — something I once believed I had aged out of. But this time, I had nothing to prove. I stood on those boards with stillness, and audiences felt that. I was no longer performing. I was simply being.

At 80, I took up watercolour painting. I painted flowers from my garden, old hats from my youth, and faces I remembered from the London Underground. Each painting was a quiet memory made visible.

Now, at 95, I write letters by hand. I’m learning to bake rye bread. I still breathe deeply every morning. I still adore laughter — though I no longer try to make anyone laugh. I love the quiet more than ever.

I’m writing this to tell you something simple:

Growing older is not the closing act. It can be the most exquisite chapter — if you let yourself bloom again.

Let these years ahead be your TREASURE YEARS.

You don’t need to be famous. You don’t need to be flawless.

You only need to show up — fully — for the life that is still yours.

With love and gentleness,

Patricia Routledge

*****

Once more, rest in peace. 🤍

[Robert Rams MBE @robertrams1]

I was approached this morning by the Evening Standard to write about my thoughts on yesterday. This was a hard thing to do but they have published it here

https://t.co/zcbtbcemI0

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

@AvantiWestCoast Thank you!

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Second this ! Has been a privilege 🗞️

[Anna van Praagh @annavanpraagh]

I am extremely sad that we’re losing Dylan Jones as editor-in-chief of the Standard. Witty, subversive, with a brilliant sense of mischief and fun, Dylan is a great editor and a great man and I’ve hugely enjoyed working for him. I look forward to him continuing to write for us and watching his continued success with fondness and admiration

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

My mother’s MS has shaped my view on assisted dying

https://t.co/NtohZJfhC3

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Everyone’s talking about it… so here’s our original article with the Helen Mirren x Kurt Cobain comments https://t.co/iyCgQkg9fV

[Standard News @standardnews]

The Standard 100: People shaping London in business and tech https://t.co/eHkBsjj5W8

[The Standard @theLDNstandard]

The Standard analyses impact of potential tax rises in the Chancellor’s October 30 Budget on millions of Londoners https://t.co/BX4K2xzYWw

[Ian McKellen @IanMcKellen]

The London Standard, now each Thursday, will continue to support drama as of old. Something to look forward to. Here I am wiith Evgeny Lebedev, giving away his new @EveningStandard

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Go pick up a copy!

[Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan @MayorofLondon]

Welcoming the very first edition of The London Standard—out today 🗞️

The new, weekly paper replaces the Evening Standard and is available for free from stations and selected venues across our capital every Thursday.

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

The brilliant Robbie G! Our loss is the freelance world's gain

[Robbie Griffiths @robbieegrif]

Job news: I decided not to apply for a job at the new look Evening Standard, so will leave soon, eight and a half years after my first day.

I have freelance gigs, but will be up for more – please get in touch. If it’s not too self-indulgent, putting some of my recent work below

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

@billykenber Go Billy!

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

@centrallinebot Is this ongoing ?

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Was so worried about who would be taking over from @MattChorley on Times Radio but hooray, it's @hugorifkind !

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Powerful piece on ADHD, addiction and London by @maxrobertwallis

[Standard Lifestyle @ESInsider]

Award-winning writer Max Wallis was addicted to drugs and alcohol — he felt that the city he loved had also broken him: 'I had to leave London because I was an alcoholic'
https://t.co/QkeNW9ZI2I

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

'#LoveIsland is age-obsessed, but it's still better sex education than my kids will get at school' -- brill piece by @emilylphillips https://t.co/SRtRKURrdU

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

Ministers are wooing £50bn fast-fashion company Shein to float on London's stock exchange -- @katie_strick investigates the 'sinister' world behind the behemoth (thank you @paddygrant and @lucysiegle for your comments) https://t.co/6NM4iGzqSX

[Harriet Addison @Harrietaddison]

What do you drink in your coffee these days? We're falling out of love with plant-based but most cows' milk remains horribly cruel
https://t.co/rtveQp1nII