Joanna Lumley was broke for over 10 years into her career and lived 'hand to mouth'

Joanna Lumley says she was broke for over 10 years into her career.

The actress said she did not get out of debt until she was 32.

The former Coronation Street star said she lived “hand to mouth”.

This was even after landing her break in 70s TV hit The New Avengers.

Joanna, 74, said: “It was fairly anxious, you think, ‘Where do I get the next 10 bob from?’ I couldn’t get out of the red.”

Joanna Lumley says she was broke for over 10 years into her career (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The former Coronation Street star said she lived “hand to mouth” (Getty Images)

It was only when she starred in Sapphire and Steel from 1979 that she finally paid off her overdrafts.

The daughter of an Army major, she attended boarding school and finishing school before becoming a model then turning to theatre and TV work.

It was only when she starred in Sapphire and Steel from 1979 that she finally paid off her overdrafts (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

But it did not pay well and having son James at 23 added to the financial strain.

She plays hard-up Sarah in new ITV drama Finding Alice.

Finding Alice starts on January 17 at 9pm on ITV.