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In April 1968 Lynne met Jackie Oliver. “It was love at first sight”, she laughs. They married, but the threat of a grisly death on the race track hung morbidly over their relationship. “ After I had our son ,Jason, something changed. I never said “I want you to give up racing” but I wanted him to say “You and Jason are more important” He didn’t. I began to withdraw my emotions so as not to be hurt. And I talked myself out of being in love with him.
While accompanying Jackie to America in 1971, Lynne stumbled upon yoga in California. It was something really alternative then, all bells and sandals but she found it incredibly helpful. Her relationship with yoga would outlast both marriages.
Fast forward to 1974 and Lynne is in a British health farm recovering from a tapeworm, where she meets Shadows man Bruce Welch, recovering from his split from fiancé Olivia Newton John and a suicide attempt. ”He was funny, creative…I couldn’t resist him!”
The following 3 years were turbulent. “I was torn between him and Jackie. I love both of them but I was in love with Bruce. She eventually left Jackie for Bruce, whom she married. “I was ridden with guilt… I had split up my family.
The marital bliss didn’t last long. Publicly , there were the showbiz parties, money and fame, privately, the black hole of Bruce’s depressions. “When he was depressed he was a stranger. He did try to overcome it , but every time he came off medication he’d be back in it within 2 weeks. And she adds, “sadly depression really is contagious”. Eventually the depression “killed our relationship. It was something I couldn’t deal with, although I certainly tried.”
Which brings us full circle to that pivotal low point, “when I felt I was losing my identity, aged 45. This time Lynne turned to yoga to help her physically, emotionally and financially. With time on her hands during both marriages, she had trained in yoga so she began teaching it at the local health centre for £15 per week. A gentle empathic teacher, its not hard to see how she became so popular.
Meanwhile after a succession of disastrous love affairs. Lynne met gentle easy going Stuart when she was forced to sell her salubrious house in the suburbs after her second divorce, and was viewing property. Stuart, also post divorced, was selling. Lynne couldn’t afford the house on Strand-on-the-Green, but they became Christmas card acquaintances. Then, four years ago, they met up, went for a walk in Kew Gardens, “talked and talked” and it turned into an amazing love affair!
Today Lynne and Stuart seem to have a relaxed and happy relationship. Stuart, who looks after the business side is the quieter of the two. Lynne is a performer. Nestling next to new age literature in the lobby are glossy magazines and well thumbed copies of Hello and OK! “I like to see what my old friends are up to!”
She is adamant that the food is not just the usual retreat fodder of seeds and pulses. And, alongside therapists offering massage, shiatsu, kinesiology, reiki and the like there is a visiting beautician and hairdresser. “There are so many retreats where you feel institutionalised” she says ”I remember complaining about nylon sheets at one and someone saying” Why do you think you feel angry about the nylon sheets “ “I don’t like nylon sheets, It is as simple as that, nothing to do with anger as a child. That’s rubbish!!” With this Lynne laughs, whips off her sarong and plunges, Bond girl like into her tempting blue pool.
The Mail on Sunday 7 January 2001
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