A 72-year-old known as Busty Granny left hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley, and viewers alike, astonished with her daring confessions during her appearance on ITV's This Morning on February 4, 2024. Caroline, who transitioned from living as a devout Christian to embracing sex work, shared explicit details about her life, making it one of the most unforgettable segments of the show.
Caroline's story captures her unconventional path—once devoted to her Christian beliefs, she reevaluated her life after enduring personal challenges. She eventually delved deep, exploring her sexuality and embarking on her career as an escort. Her transformation was as remarkable as it was unexpected; she recounted how her sexual awakening began later in life, explaining, "I wasn’t quite sure what to expect really!" after engaging in intimate activities for the first time during one of her escapades.
During the live interview, the piecing together of her past experiences left co-host Ben nearly speechless, as he could only muster the response, "Right!" The candidness of her accounts likely caught their morning audience off guard as well, eliciting audible gasps from both viewers at home and those watching live.
Caroline opened up about how her new life as Busty Granny began when she was propositioned by a 27-year-old rugby player at the age of 57. What started as flirtations led to her being encouraged to explore the potential of earning money through escorting. Intrigued by the prospects, she soon found herself watching documentaries about older women, including one featuring an 82-year-old escort, which solidified her decision to join the world of sex work.
Now thriving financially, Caroline boasted on the show about earning up to £3,000 per month, enough to pay off her mortgage comfortably. "I'm loving life," she remarked, highlighting her newfound independence and joy. Her audacity to claim this new lifestyle—one filled with adventure and unfiltered exploration—has led to conversations about societal norms and viewpoints on older women engaging in sex work.
Yet, the response from the public has been polarized. Alongside cheers of empowerment, social media was flooded with questions from users who wondered whether her explicit admissions were appropriate for morning television. One user remarked, "I’m no prude, but is a 72-year-old talking about oral really suitable for morning TV?" This sentiment echoes the hesitation shared by various audience members after hearing her recount intimate encounters.
Caroline has also expressed the impact her career choice has had on her personal relationships. While she finds solace and satisfaction from her work, her siblings are far less supportive. "They aren't too impressed," she stated candidly, indicating their refusal to meet her since her newfound fame and its accompanying scrutiny.
This exploration of sexuality and personal empowerment through the lens of aging is certainly timely. Caroline’s story adds to the many discussions surrounding the visibility of older individuals embracing their desires and autonomy—strengthening the notion of defying societal expectations irrespective of age.
Following Caroline's groundbreaking interview, the segment also featured other notable guests, including actress Daisy May Cooper and Grantchester star Robson Green, both of whom discussed their respective projects. Nevertheless, it is undoubtedly Caroline's bold proclamations and unapologetic attitude about her life choices as Busty Granny, which have left the strongest imprint on the viewers and social media discussions.
This Morning, airing or streamed live on weekdays at 10am on ITV, continues to attract varied segments, with Caroline’s episode standing out as both controversial and empowering. Caroline’s unabashed enthusiasm for living life on her own terms serves as both inspiration and commentary on societal attitudes toward aging and sexuality.