ACTRESS, author and activist Joanna Lumley calmed Swindon commuters down by treating them to a book reading on the train.

Her unexpected appearance on the Paddington to Swindon line came as part of a Fuze Tea campaign to get the country to relax a bit more. A national poll by the Coca-Cola-owned brand found that four in ten Brits feel they rarely get any ‘me-time.’ When they do, their breaks usually arrive at the end of the working day and last for only 55 minutes – the lowest amount in Europe, according to Fuze Tea figures.

Joanna Lumley said: “We all spend so much time working hard and rushing around, but in today’s madness it’s so important for us to take a moment out of our day to collect and compose ourselves.

I was delighted to launch Fuze Tea with a surprise book reading of Eat Pray Love because it’s a really moving memoir of self-discovery and shows what happens if you take time for yourself for your own happiness, and it was such a joy to be able to enhance a rare me-time moment.”

Joanna paused her reading at intervals to crack jokes and ask passengers about their day. Coca-Cola's poll also found that the main factors contributing to the lack of me-time included time spent queueing (34 minutes a day on average) and time spent doing life admin (30 minutes a day).

When Brits do find a moment to unwind, 52 per cent of them choose to read a book, 47 per cent watch TV, and 46 per cent listen to music.

Christina Lecky, Senior Brand Manager at Coca-Cola GB said: “We are encouraging people to switch off and there’s nobody better than national treasure Joanna Lumley to surprise and help relax those commuting home with a book reading of her favourite novel. This, however, is just the start, so keep an eye out while you commute home as we have more exciting things to come.”

The company claims its iced tea drink can help commuters to clear their head with its mix of chamomile and hibiscus.

Retail worker Amarpreet Jaswal, who was lucky enough to be on the train, said: “It was so enjoyable and relaxing, and who better to have read to you on your commute than Joanna Lumley! It started off my day so positively and had me in a great mood for the rest of the day.”

The actress joked with her listeners at the end of the journey. She said: “Any time you want me to read to you on a train, any time, I’m going to leave you my phone number.”