What’s your daily routine?
“I usually wake up between 3 and 6 o’clock – it varies if I’m doing the breakfast show [on BBC Radio London] – and then I take my Symprove. I think it’s vitally important to look after ourselves from the inside out and my gut health is so much better after taking it for two years. ”
What would you say your approach to fitness is?
“I do my squats and press ups for 10 minutes first thing in the morning and that’s my ‘right, I’m awake!’. I love doing Joe Wicks’ HIIT sessions, Strictly’s Karen Hauer has some great workouts on Instagram and I do upper body and strength training through Caroline Girvan’s YouTube channel. I also walk about nine miles a day and I made sure I got out every day in lockdown. It’s so important to keep moving, and working out helps me establish a sense of routine.”
How do you manage to stay so positive?
“When people ask me this, I used to say, ‘sorry, I just am’, but when my mum passed away, I vowed never to apologise for it because I am who I am.
When I was younger, I used to want to sleep in my clothes because I didn’t want the day to end and I couldn’t wait for the next one to start! I’ll be the one who tries to make people laugh if they’re feeling down and I always look on the fun side of life.” What makes you belly laugh? “People falling over, there’s nothing funnier! I would never want anyone to hurt themselves, of course, but I think that’s why I have so many wrinkles because I’m always laughing.”
Is it important for you to champion the causes you’re passionate about?
“I’m very lucky and blessed, so it’s really important to give back. I lost one parent through cancer and my dad survived cancer, so I do as much as I can to raise awareness for that and I’m also really passionate about looking after the planet and animals – we’ve all got to do our bit.”
What lessons have you learned from motherhood?
“That, strangely, I worry less now that I have children. I know it’s cliché, but as a mother of a daughter who’s just turned 20, time goes so quickly and you really have to appreciate each and every day. When I walk, for example, I always look up and take in my surroundings because that exact moment will never happen again.”
Do you have any advice for your younger self?
“Not to be self-conscious. Deep down, I’m actually a very shy person and I’ve managed to overcome that in some situations. I still have my moments, like when I’m at a party, but if you put me in front of a live audience or on stage, that’s where I feel most at home.”
