Why do you live in Shepherd’s Bush?
I lived in west London straight after I graduated from university (I studied psychology at University of Surrey). I rented a tiny room in a house in Masbro Road, W14, when I got my first job, which was in advertising. The guy who owned the four-bed house was a diplomat (who must have had it as an investment) charged us a really low rent. You get used to an area and it becomes your home, so have always brought properties around there.
If money were no object where would you live and why?
I’d have two: one just outside the old town of Ibiza and one in Richmond or Holland Park.
Do you have a local?
The Anglesea Arms [35 Wingate Road, W6] for wine and the Andover Arms [57 Aldensley Road, W6] for a bit of home cooking. It’s also a great place to bring kids. On Sundays they can bring out a full roast as if you were at home and you can carve it at your table.
Where else do you like going for a drink?
Trailer Happiness, but on a Saturday night – it’s rocking. They have the friendliest people behind the bar, a great selection of rums and an amazing DJ. The furniture is retro chic.
Your drink of choice?
A Stone Wall.
Your Heart FM show is the most listened to commercial radio show in the UK. What do you put the show’s popularity down to?
It’s primarily a music show. Admittedly if I spoke gobbledygook people would turn off, but I have a fairly good idea of the demographic I’m talking to. I know it sounds clichéd but I’m doing my dream job. I used to pretend to do radio shows for my parents and their friends when I was seven or eight. I’d set up my mum and dad’s record players side by side. They had a red lamp; I put a red bulb in it and I wrote ‘On Air’ on a box, so when I spoke I turned the light on. I love the immediacy and intimacy of radio and it’s great to get lots of texts saying that Heart is getting them through their work day. The songs on Heart are pretty fun, perky and uplifting.
Who do you imagine you’re talking to?
I do feel like I’m speaking to one person. The best training I received was working at Wrexham Park Hospital in Slough when I was 14. I walked around the wards, saw the patients and took their requests, so I saw first-hand how one song affects one person. I’ve had really good programmer directors over the years who mentor you. I like direction and I’m still always learning. You can always hone the art of it better.
What’s currently on your iPod?
Coldplay’s Every Teardrop is a Waterfall; Take That (which I stuck on shuffle after seeing them live at Wembley recently); Keane; Tracey Chapman; Beyonce; The Wanted’s Glad You Came; Tinie Tempah; David Guetta; Rhianna. I also like Neil Diamond.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
I probably embarrass myself on a daily basis.
What are you most proud of?
Being nominated for Presenter of the Year at the ARQIVAS Awards. It’s great to be recognised by my peers.
If you weren’t a radio or TV presenter what would you be doing?
I did contemplate doing a postgrad in psychology and then go on to working in developmental psychology. I don’t want to outstay my welcome; I will have been working on radio for 20 years next year. I believe that if you never get off the mill you can’t explore other things and I’m very aware of that.
What shop could you not live without?
G Star in Westfield.
What’s the best thing you can do in London for free?
I cycle down to Hammersmith where the pubs are to the bridge along the tow path to Dukes Meadow golf course and then over Chiswick Bride and then all the way to Richmond and then up the hill to Richmond Park and through it. I do it on a Sunday sometimes before returning to cook a roast.
How do you switch off?
I can’t switch off except when I go to sleep – when I put my head down I’m normally out like a light.
