Stunning at 67: Sixties sex siren Raquel Welch returns to TV

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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It seems close to One Million Years ago that she first smouldered on to the big screen.

But the ravages of time appear to have left barely a mark on the ever youthful Raquel Welch.

Even her taste for figure-hugging animal prints seems undiminished. The 67-year-old actress is starring in a new U.S. sitcom, Welcome to the Captain.

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Sixtysomething and stunning: Raquel Welch in a promotional shot for her new TV series Welcome to the Captain

Sixtysomething and stunning: Raquel Welch in a promotional shot for her new TV series Welcome to the Captain

In a tribute to her fresh-faced appearance, Miss Welch plays 52-year-old actress Charlene Van Ark.

Her character, who pretends to be a mere 42, is attempting to make a comeback.

She also parodies the "maneater" image Miss Welch has enjoyed since her debut in the classic Sixties movie One Million Years BC.

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Flirt alert: Raquel's character Charlene has her eye on new neighbour Josh, played by Fran Kranz, in Welcome To The Captain

Flirt alert: Raquel's character Charlene has her eye on new neighbour Josh, played by Fran Kranz, in Welcome To The Captain

The new show is Miss Welch's first starring TV role after years of guest appearances.

She was last seen on the small screen in an episode of popular American comedy 8 Simple Rules in 2004.

Her character Charlene insists on personally welcoming every new male resident at the Hollywood apartment where the show is set.

Off-screen Miss Welch prefers a more mature type.

She split from her fourth husband, restaurateur Richard Palmer, 15 years her junior, in 2003.

Now she insists she is looking for someone much closer to her own age.

"I've been married four times and I still haven't worked out what it is that I want. I feel a terrible failure," she said.

"I don't go for much younger men any more. I don't think it's a good idea for me.

"I'm just thrilled that I'm working in this medium. We're all in this thing together, and I'm really enjoying it."

A younger Raquel Welch during her screen siren heyday in One Million Years B.C. (left)

A younger Raquel Welch during her screen siren heyday in One Million Years B.C. (left)

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