Oldies but goodies: Why Abba and Fawlty Towers still top charts for 70-somethings

WITH THE arrival of your later years comes the chance to enjoy some of life's pleasures.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Mar 2016, 08:54 BST
Updated 1st Mar 2016, 09:01 BST
People aged 70-something listed Abba among their favourite pop groupsPeople aged 70-something listed Abba among their favourite pop groups
People aged 70-something listed Abba among their favourite pop groups

And new research published today has given an insight into the cultural choices of Britain’s pensioners.

The study has shown that the average 70-something loves listening to Abba, Queen and The Beatles, reads nine books a year and lists Only Fools And Horses, The Two Ronnies and Fawlty Towers among their top television shows.

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And while pensions are the main source of income for people aged in their 70s, one in three of those in this age group is still working regularly, according to Nationwide Building Society Savings. Some 22 per cent of those surveyed are working full-time and 11 per cent have a part-time job, while six per cent carry out occasional work.

Prunella Scales, John Cleese, Connie Booth and Andrew Sachs in Fawlty TowersPrunella Scales, John Cleese, Connie Booth and Andrew Sachs in Fawlty Towers
Prunella Scales, John Cleese, Connie Booth and Andrew Sachs in Fawlty Towers

People in their 70s will also typically have £300 of disposable income a month and have £5,227 put away in savings – but they will also be in debt to the tune of £31,504, including mortgages, credit cards, overdrafts and personal loans. The average yearly income for someone in their 70s was found to be £21,617 – slightly less than the average 30-year-old who has £24,763, according to Nationwide Savings.

Related topics:PeopleQueenBritainABBA