Written by

Rebecca Pocklington

Saved by the bell! The extreme burial traditions people followed years ago

Rebecca Pocklington

Rebecca Pocklington

If you’ve read an exclusive interview on Starts at 60 with one of your favourite celebrities, it’s very likely Rebecca Pocklington wrote it! Rebecca has a background in breaking national news, entertainment and lifestyle stories, having learned how to write at some of the world’s biggest and best newspapers.

Rebecca, who has a Bachelor of Media and Cultural Studies from Lancaster University, as well as a diploma from Britain’s National Council for the Training of Journalists, started her career in local newspapers in the UK, before holding roles at the Daily Mirror and The Sun. At The Sun, she was the associate digital showbiz editor – yes, The Sun takes celebrity stories so seriously, it has a whole ‘showbiz’ team! – which saw her chasing, writing, commissioning and editing stories about everything from our beloved royal family to the hottest stars on film and TV.

Rebecca escaped Britain’s dreary weather for sunny Australia two years ago and has been using her world-class skills to get great stories for Starts at 60’s readers ever since landing on our shores, with interviews with stars including Olivia Newton-John, Andre Rieu, Anne Hegerty from The Chase, Denise Drysdale, Jonathan Coleman, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Noni Hazlehurst, David Koch, Grant Denyer, Engelbert Humperdinck, Barry Du Bois, Don McLean and many more.

When she’s not talking to the stars or on the sides of the red carpet at entertainment events, Rebecca focuses on amazing real-life stories from over-60s in Australia and around the world. And she is the joint chief of staff with Jessica Galley in our newsroom, where she guides Starts at 60’s team of reporters in choosing and writing the best news stories every day.

If you’ve got a story you’d like to share with Rebecca, contact her at [email protected].

Andrea Bowkett's son Scott died in 2014, after she tragically lost her baby daughter years before. Source: Andrea Bowkett (supplied).

Funeral director’s plea for families to speak about death after own heartbreak

Funeral director’s plea for families to speak about death after own heartbreak

Andrea Bowkett began working in the funeral industry after she was forced to organise two ceremonies at short notice for two of her own children.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Celine Dion completely transformed for Halloween. Source: Getty (left) and Instagram/Celine Dion (right).

Scream Queens! Catherine Zeta-Jones and Celine Dion bare all in racy costumes

Scream Queens! Catherine Zeta-Jones and Celine Dion bare all in racy costumes

Some of the world's biggest stars have gone all out for Halloween this year, but Catherine Zeta-Jones and Celine Dion have really turned up the heat in some very daring outfits.

Four major furniture retailers were hit with penalties. Source: Getty. (Stock image).

Aussie furniture giants hit with hefty fines over ‘misleading sale price’ claims

Aussie furniture giants hit with hefty fines over ‘misleading sale price’ claims

Four major Aussie retailers have now been forced to pay thousands after allegedly misleading customers with false ‘was/now’ price claims.

The family of a US grandad made an unusual request in lieu of flowers. Source: Getty.

In lieu of flowers: Family’s quirky request for grandad’s funeral in funny obit

In lieu of flowers: Family’s quirky request for grandad’s funeral in funny obit

Widar Wes Sahlin's family penned a hilarious obituary for the loving and funny grandad - with one very unusual request for the funeral donations.

Chef Alastair Little has ripped into Australia's food scene in a first-person piece. Source: Instagram. by Alastair Little.

‘At best British supermarket standard’: Chef slams Australia’s ‘smug’ food scene

‘At best British supermarket standard’: Chef slams Australia’s ‘smug’ food scene

British chef Alastair Little has ripped into Australia's food scene, claiming the country has an “overweening and completely unjustified sense of smugness”.

Studio 10 stars transformed into the Brady Bunch family for Halloween. Source: Twitter/Studio 10.

Nicole Kidman, Carrie Bickmore and Studio 10 stars transform for Halloween

Nicole Kidman, Carrie Bickmore and Studio 10 stars transform for Halloween

While the Studio 10 panel transformed into the Brady Bunch family on screen, more Aussie stars opted for fairytale characters, spooky queens and more.

The man reportedly died after being bitten by a western brown snake.

Man, 68, dies after being bitten by snake on camping trip

Man, 68, dies after being bitten by snake on camping trip

A 68-year-old man has tragically died after being bitten by a snake on a camping trip in the Northern Territory, despite the best efforts of medical staff.

Bette Midler responded with a hilarious post after seeing Melanie Griffith pose in a sensational underwear selfie. Source: Getty.

Bette Midler’s hilarious reaction to Melanie Griffith’s racy underwear photo

Bette Midler’s hilarious reaction to Melanie Griffith’s racy underwear photo

Melanie Griffith, 62, sent her fans wild just hours ago when she posted a smoking hot photo of her in her underwear.

More and more parents are financially supporting their adult kids for longer. Source: Getty. (Picture posed by models).

Too spoilt? The surprising things adult kids expect Mum and Dad to pay for

Too spoilt? The surprising things adult kids expect Mum and Dad to pay for

The last few years has seen a shift away from the old tradition of leaving home in your late teens and early twenties - as kids rely more on the Bank of Mum and Dad.

Stories that matter

Emails delivered daily

Explore More

Starts at 60