Cornwall resident Derek Myers, 70, is also feeling more energetic that he expected to at retirement age. He planned to wind down at 60 after a career in exports, but instead set up a consultancy. He’s not even the oldest staff member – the chairman is 90.

He said: “I walk the dogs, I’ve got a rowing machine, I keep the mind active by working every day and it suits me. I want to get as much [money] as I can but whatever comes in is a bonus.”

Mr Myers said his friends who retired at 65 live “very sedentary” lives, which he wanted to avoid. “You’ve got to find something to do.”

Money is not the main motivator for Mr Myers or Mrs Drummie. But for many other older people returning to work, the decision is financial.

Rebecca O’Connor, of Interactive Investor, said the pandemic had exposed the precarious position of many pensioners’ finances. “Retirement is not the place of financial security it once was,” she said. “Changes in the stock market have affected people’s pension pot value. People are afraid of further market falls and they’re hedging against that by working.”

Dividend-paying stocks, which many retirees rely on for income, also took a hit during the pandemic, she added. Add to this the soaring cost of living and it’s no wonder people are looking for extra income. Inflation hit a decade-high of 5.1pc in November, with petrol prices up 30pc and energy bills surging. Yet the state pension will rise by just 3.1pc next year, hurting the annual incomes of 12 million people by £187.

Octogenarian actress Shelagh Hansen works to supplement her teacher’s pension, which isn’t enough to support her following her divorce.

She has played the roles of an Egyptian priestess in Exeter Museum, a care-home resident in a Tesco Christmas advert and a patient for GPs in training. However, in case it stops her securing further work, she refuses to reveal her precise age.

She said: “Age doesn’t matter unless you’re a cheese.”

Otto Ott, 73

Otto Ott is well into his 70s and works six days a week at his hair salon. Although he has a state pension as well as the earnings from his family business, giving him enough income to enjoy Caribbean holidays and meals out with his wife, he has no plans to retire. 

He said: “I have company all day and people have to listen to me – there are not many opportunities like this. As long as I can work, I will work.”