Dame Shirley, who celebrates 62 years in showbusiness this year, released her latest album "Hello Like Before" on Sony Music just before Christmas. The album is a collection of her favourite songs including a re-recording of the Bond theme "Goldfinger" and a duet with Paloma Faith.

But unlike Dame Judi Dench, who said she was sick of being asked this question, Dame Shirley told me that she never gets about the R word. Retirement.

"No, I don't get that. In fact everybody says when are you going to do a concert again. They don't say when are you going to retire as they want a concert, so no I don't get that.."

Dame Shirley sat down to talk to me about the emotional impact of making her new album and explained why her performance at the 2013 Academy Awards was a night she'll never forget. " Oh the applause is wonderful. Of course it makes me sing better. It changes when you hear applause like that.."

And having spent an hour with her last year, not only can I confirm that she both looks and sounds amazing. But that she's also rather good at taking selfies, as I discovered when she took this photo. "You can be my first ever selfie! " Well, what an honour.

Happy Birthday Dame Shirley. Truly the greatest...