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A neighbour of Dame Joanna Lumley has what the Absolutely Fabulous star is like when she offers a greeting.

Writing to Vernon Kay's BBC Radio 2 programme on Monday, gardener Heather explained that Joanna, who celebrates her 80th birthday today (May 1), is remarkably courteous when greeted in south London.

She informed the BBC presenter: "She lives round the corner from me in London. When she walks along our street, I always give her a wave and say 'hello'. She always responds with a wave and a dazzling smile. Tremendous human being. Says Heather the Gardener."

In response, Vernon said: "She has that hazy aura around her, you know what I mean? She was extremely courteous when she came in and did Tracks Of My Years. Very nice and always interested in you as opposed to 'I'm Joanna Lumley'. Fabulous."

As Joanna approaches her 80th birthday, she has been reflecting on her career to date, which has spanned several decades and seen her take on a wide range of roles and formats, reports the Mirror.

Alongside the previously mentioned Absolutely Fabulous, she has also appeared in Wednesday, The Wolf of Wall Street, James and the Giant Peach, Coronation Street, and Ella Enchanted.

She also appeared in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and has featured on Channel 4 programmes including Car SOS.

Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of her birthday, Dame Joanna said she was delighted to still be working, but stressed that others were making more of it than she felt was warranted.

She said: "It's extraordinary, isn't it? I've been saying I'm 80 for the last two or three years because I thought I was, but I wasn't.

"People are making a big hoo-ha about this 80, as if I'm somehow going to be different, as if some huge precipice is being reached. I'll be working on my birthday. I'm thrilled and I'm touched that people have remembered and think about it more than I do."

Discussing what keeps her going, Dame Joanna told The i that one of the secrets behind her enduring career is a lack of certainty.

She said: "Having no certainty keeps you vibrant and engaged. You're always trying something new."

Alongside reflecting on her professional life, Dame Joanna has also spoken about her life with her husband, Stephen Barlow, as the couple prepare to mark their 40th wedding anniversary.

Speaking to Yours magazine, she said the secret to their long marriage is maintaining independence. She explained: "I go off on trips and I do stuff and film. He goes off and does operas and things.

"But I think one of the first things you've got to have with whoever you marry, who is going to be your chosen companion, is respect. You've got to think the world of them."