Patti LaBelle has insisted she feels "better" aged 82 than she did when she was younger - and it's all down to her "living it down" approach.

The American singer turned 82 on Sunday, and opened up to CBS News' Tracy Smith about how she's coping these days.

Patti replied: "This is a better life for me now at 82. I feel better - not physically maybe, with my knees - but I feel good.

"I feel settled, I feel as though I don't have to do anything else, I don't have to climb, I don't have a thing to prove. Nothing to prove, no, to nobody but myself.

"I'm settled at this place that I'm in, I don't have to do more. I'm just very easy right here, in the space that I'm in right now."

Patti added that while she had a no-holds barred party for her 80th, she went for a quieter celebration last year, and is also planning to "chill" for her big day this year too.

The Lady Marmalade singer continued the interview to urge people not to let their age make them "nervous".

She continued: "Age is a number and it's a graduation. I'm really living it down, not up, but I'm really having fun living it down. I play cards, and nights that Ia cook for everybody and we watch movies. I don't do much, I'm kind of boring, but I love that."

Despite her advancing years, Patti insisted she doesn't have any intention of retiring from the stage, as she was "born singing".

She explained: "Singing is my life. I'm happy to say I'm still standing, I'm still working.

it's something that I have to do.

"I was born singing. I love to do shows, I love meet and greets. I just love what I do, and I'm so happy to be in this place at this time in my life. "

As for what has kept fans coming back to see Patti year upon year, she said she thinks it's because its quite a "fancy" dress.

However, it seems that Patti's determination to stick to the rules has also earned her some followers.

She laughed: "I don't do drugs. I drink red wine occasionally and that's about it. I'm a very quiet person.

"It's a blessing that people still come to see Patti LaBelle."