❙ star chat ❙
‘What really makes me see red’ The queen of baking chats to Yours about planning for this year’s Bake Off, making a difference and her latest book By Christine Smith he is, undoubtedly, one of the nicest, most respected and loved British TV stars, thanks to her firm but fair judging on The Great British Bake Off. But even the unflappable Mary Berry can get angry about issues. And it’s the huge amounts of litter found on the streets and the terrible waste of food and packaging that particularly irks the 80-year-old. “Oh a lot of things make me angry,” she says as she gives a candid interview to Yours today. “Waste, packaging, litter – all sorts of things niggle me. It is very sad that we waste so much. See-through waste bags are a very good thing we have now (to try to combat the problem). James Martin had see-
S
through waste bags when he was doing Operation Hospital Food. “You can actually see what you are wasting. I think it is very good to have a transparent bag and then everyone knows what they are throwing away.” Incredibly passionate about encouraging the whole family to bake, Mary also admits that there will always remain a very special place in her heart to try to help other families going through child bereavement. The TV judge has talked movingly in the past about the devastating impact on her own life when her son, William, died in a car crash at the age of 20 in 1989. Determined to try to share her own personal loss with others, she is now patron of Child
‘Transparent waste bags are a good idea so you can see what’s being thrown away’ YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
Bereavement UK – and the work she does for it will always be a huge priority in her life away from television and cookbooks. “I like to support them in any way I can,” she says. “It is my main charity and I don’t think about the time I give up. I just want to be able to support it. What is wonderful now is that it is a charity which helps parents, siblings and other members of the family, such as grandparents, cope. I was with a family recently who had gone through a child bereavement and they told me how nice it was that the grandparents were included too.” Sharing her experiences and knowledge is what drives Mary today. Her work schedule would make many people far younger than her feel exhausted but her incredible passion, love of baking and youthful approach to life are a few of the reasons why she is so unstoppable – and inspirational.
❙ strap strap ❙ ‘We are already working on putting together challenges for this year’s Bake Off’
Her recently released new book, Foolproof Cooking, to accompany her latest BBC2 series hopes to help people who still feel scared about rolling up their sleeves to make something from scratch. A rack of pork, lobster, beef Wellington and quick pasta dishes are just some of the recipes in the new book, which also gives Mary’s ‘foolproof’ tips on how not to go wrong with each meal. “I want to share my tips,” she says. “The idea for Foolproof is I hold everybody’s hand while they make the recipes. I don’t like using a lot of ingredients either and I’ve tried to make them simple. One of the most common mistakes people make is they don’t read the recipe properly. I want to be able to help people.” Does she think many of the old tried and tested dishes have stood the test of time? “Absolutely,” replies Mary. “People still enjoy foods that
heart into it. She was such a natural, quiet, normal housewife.” Yet despite leading such a busy life, Mary, who is always immaculately turned out, still makes sure family time remains her top priority. Living in Buckinghamshire with her husband, Paul, she loves nothing better than baking with her grandchildren and spending time in her garden – another huge passion in life. But surely given she has inspired millions and is such a much loved British TV star, there must be something left on the bucket list to fulfil? “Everyone asks me this,” she says. “But there isn’t! I love doing what I am doing. I love being able to share everything I have learned.” ✢ Mary Berry’s Foolproof Cooking is on BBC2. ✢ For more details about Child Bereavement UK visit www.childbereavementuk.org
✢ We have five copies of Mary Berry’s Foolproof Cooking, published by BBC Books, rrp £25, to give away. To enter send a postcard marked Mary Berry Foolproof Book, to PO Box 57, Coates, PE7 2FF by March 1. If you don’t wish to receive further information from Yours, write No Further Contact on your card.
EXTRA
FOR YOU
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
PICS: REX/SHUTTERSTOCK, BBC, GUARDIAN NEWS & MEDIA LTD
Mary cooking with her three children in1975
they had when they were young. Chilli is one meal many families do once a week, as well as pies and casseroles. Most people like to do something quick when they come in. I always like to make it the day before.” But as she admits herself, there is certainly no respite for now this latest book – to add to the 70-plus cookbooks she has already written – is out in the shops. Not only does she have a new Easter TV series in the pipeline, Mary has already started working behind the scenes on the new Great British Bake Off series, with her colleague and close friend, Paul Hollywood. Together, she explains, they put together all the tasks and challenges the competitors must face. “We have started working on it now,” she adds. “We get involved with the actual choosing of the challenges. We try to balance it out. But I really enjoy it and I love doing Bake Off. We film some of it over the weekend, but I don’t mind as it is so much fun.” And what did she make of the recent celebrity version of Bake Off for Sport Relief? “All of the celebrities taking part were so amazing to give up their time to do it,” she says. “There was nobody with an awful lot of knowledge. They were all battlers.” What did she think of the Prime Minister’s wife, Samantha Cameron? “Oh she was so lovely,” exclaims Mary. “She put her
15
s y u b t brigh
Style 23 this fortnight notes
Freshen up your wardrobe with these pretty and practical must-haves! By Fashion Editor, Michelle Nightingale £26, 8 M&C -22, o
Se lina wears: Mac, £125, 8-18, Phase Eight; striped knit, £20, 8-20, Next; jeans (just seen), £40, 8-20, Debenhams; scarf, £10, Next; bag, £60, Cath Kidston , M&S £12.50 n tio Collec
2, , 6-2 5 5 £ xt Ne
GREAT PRICE
HANDY BUY
S , M& 8 1 , 6- n £15 lectio l Co
£15 F&F , Tes at co STOCKISTS: Bhs 0344 411 6000 www.bhs.co.uk; Bonmarché 0330 026 2728 www. bonmarche.co.uk; Cath Kidston 01480 424477 www.cathkidston.com; Debenhams 0344 561 6161 www.debenhams.com; Evans 0344 984 0262 www.evans.co.uk; F&F at Tesco 0800 323 4050 www.clothingattesco.com; M&Co 0800 031 7200 www.mandco. com; Marks & Spencer 0333 014 8000 www.marksandspencer.com; Next 0333 777 8000 www.next.co.uk; Phase Eight 0207 471 4422 www.phase-eight.com; Tu at Sainsbury’s 0800 636 262 www.sainsburys.co.uk. Details correct at time of going to press
36
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
, £16 t Nex
,6 £28 t x Ne
SPRING ESSENTIAL
£40, 8-22, Bhs 4, £2 2, 2 8- Co M&
£18, 3-8, Debenhams
THIS SEASON’S STAR BUY!
, -22
£18, 8-2 2, at Sains Tu bury’s £32, , 14-32 s n a Ev
£55, 8-20, Principles by Ben de Lisi for Debenhams
£55, , 14-32 s n a v E
FASHION EDITOR LOVES
£8, Bonmarché
£12, Bhs
£35, 3 Bhs -8,
5 TIPS FOR A PERFECTLY ORDERED WARDROBE Have a clear-out. Go through your wardrobe and for each item ask yourself: have I worn it recently, does it fit and would I buy it again? If you answer no to any, then it’s time to say goodbye. Alternate your wardrobe. In spring pack away your heavy winter jumpers and coats
1
2
and in winter pack away your summer clothes. Empty suitcases that are only used for holidays can provide perfect storage for this. Get organised! If you have shelves, store the most used items at eye or grab level, those you use less below and those you hardly ever wear up high out of the way.
3
make life easy
PIC: PHOTOGRAPHY RUTH JENKINSON; STYLIST JO WINCH; HAIR AND MAKE-UP SARAH JANE GREEN
£14, 1 0 Bonm -24, arché
Group all your hanging items. Try grouping by type, so all the tops together, or by colours from light to dark or by use, so casual wear, smart wear for example. Hang your bags. This will stop them losing shape and provides a handy storage space for neatly folded scarfs, winter hats and gloves.
4
5
✢ NEXT ISSUE Easy ways to fake a waist YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
37
Style Give yourself an notes
instant facelift today!
Neatly groomed eyebrows will help you look younger. Our testers tell us which products are the best of the bunch Brow products on test Hilary Henry-Lyons, 61, Streatley, tested… Hi Brow Soft Eyebrow Pencil, £8.95 The claim: A velvety matt brow pencil that promises smooth and instant results. Hilary’s verdict: This pencil is really simple to use and excellent quality. It’s very soft and easy to apply; it doesn’t drag the skin, which is why it’s the best brow pencil I’ve come across. Available in five different shades – I tried Soft Joint Dove and Light Brown. winner Soft Dove would be perfect for those with grey hair, while the Light Brown is perfect for blondes. I think both shades are ideal for mature women and my brows look so much better, yet still very natural. Final thoughts: I will definitely buy this product – the shades are perfect and it’s excellent value because it lasts ages. 5 5
The ke y to using a brow pencil to create natural brows is to apply with light stroke s 38
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
By Beauty Editor, Michelle Nightingale Jo Eyers, 65, Rickmansworth, tested… Soap & Glory Archery DIY Brow Bar, £12 The claim: A 4-in-1 shaping, perfecting, highlighting and taming kit, which includes two brow shades, a transparent setting wax and pearl shimmer highlighter. Jo’s verdict: The packaging is bright and looks quite young, so I wouldn’t have picked it up in the shop, but I do like the compact itself and the handy mirror. The instructions were easy to follow and the different products are nice and creamy, so go on easily. I like that the compact has two shades, so it’s easy to create a natural or stronger brow. My brows are fair and these shades blended nicely. I usually use a brow pencil, but found this palette gave nicer results that stayed put all day. Final thoughts: Despite the young packaging, it’s Joint great for more winner mature ladies and offers good value as it lasts ages. 5 5
Julie Cox, 53, Peterborough, tested… WunderBrow, £19.95/5ml The claim: Achieve the ultimate super-brow in minutes, with a unique Hair Fibre Complex and patented PermaFix technology for a long-lasting Runner-up and waterproof finish. Available in four natural looking shades. Julie’s verdict: I was intrigued to see if this new product was as good as it sounded. It looks quite professional and after a few practices was actually very quick and easy to use. The instructions were very helpful and simple to follow. The brow liquid goes on easily and blends with the brush provided. It helps to fill in the gaps in your brows and it definitely has great staying power. My brows still looked exactly the same at the end of the day. Final thoughts: Overall Always they look so much apply your better and I think it brow products would be a good choice if you have in thin coats and grey hairs as it build up the colour gives great 4 coverage. 5 and look you want
3 steps to...
perfectly groomed brows You’ll need: ✢ Magnifying mirror ✢ Tweezers ✢ Concealer/ white pencil
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer, £6.99 Tweezerman Slant Tweezers, £20.95
No7 Magnifying Mirror, £11
Pricey but worth it!
Brush your brow hairs upwards and outwards with an old, clean mascara brush. Use a white eyeliner pencil or concealer (applied with a fine brush), to draw the shape you’d like to create, marking the hairs that will need to be removed. You can then roughly see what your brows will look like before you start tweezing.
1
Pluck your brows in natural light and ideally after a hot shower, so the hairs come out easily. Use a magnified mirror and start by tweezing away the marked hairs. Remove sparingly as you can always go back and remove extra hairs if needed. Work on both brows simultaneously and step back regularly to check progress in the mirror.
2
Fill in brows with either an eyebrow pencil or a brow powder palette. A pencil gives a strong, groomed finish, while a powder is often more suited for sparse brows as it will help fill in gaps and make them look thicker without looking unnatural. Finish by brushing through each brow for a natural finish.
3
STOCKISTS: Clarins 01279 774215 www.clarins.co.uk; Hi Brow 0208 500 9028 www.lashperfect.co.uk; Boots No7 0345 070 8090 www.boots.com; Maybelline available nationwide; Rimmel available nationwide and Boots; Soap & Glory available from Boots; Tweezerman 0845 262 1731 www. tweezerman.co.uk; WunderBrow available from Boots and www.wunder2.co.uk Details correct at time of going to press
✢ NEXT ISSUE Multi-tasking beauty buys chosen for you
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
39
PICS: GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK
Hilary Henry-Lyons, 61, Streatley, tested… Rimmel London Brow This Way Kit, £3.99 The claim: Get photoready brows in two easy steps with a lightweight and long-lasting formula. Hilary’s verdict: I already use a Rimmel eyebrow pencil to fill my sparse brows and although I liked the neat compact, I found the small brushes a bit fiddly to use. The instructions were really basic and the type so tiny it was hard to read. The wax went on easily, but I found that applying the powder over the top (as instructed) was quite tricky as it didn’t seem to bond itself to the wax. The colour is strong, so I think this would be better suited to younger brows. Final thoughts: Excellent price, but too fiddly and I prefer a 2 more natural look. 5
Barbara Spence, 72, Leicestershire, tested…. Clarins Perfect Eyes & Brows Palette, £35 The claim: The ultimate brow kit containing a built-in mirror, three powders, a holding wax and pink shadow to enhance eyes. Barbara’s verdict: I was pleasantly surprised how this kit added shape to my face. I liked how the three different shades can be mixed to match your brow colour perfectly. They felt great on the skin and didn’t drag at all, plus stayed on well. Overall I think it has just the right consistency and shades to suit mature brows. Final thoughts: Expensive, but I’d love to receive this 3 product as a gift! 5
Good to KNOW... Meet our expert Beverly Wade is the founder of Cluttergone, a professional decluttering and organisation service. Find out more at www.cluttergone.co.uk
ver the years, all those bits and bobs of clutter mount up, especially if you’ve lived in the same house for a while. Whether it’s a stack of books you’ve never read or piles of clothes that no longer fit, it’s good to have a clearout every so often. Your belongings should mirror your lifestyle, so get rid of the things that aren’t relevant to you now.
O
e r o m e t a Cre
E C A P S
more a o t y a our w y r r you e e t t m u l l a c c e D and a e m o h ed ter ey Car organis By Stac
58
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
make life easy
Clothes that are too big or too small, hobby materials or equipment you no longer use, or items that you just don’t like any more. Freeing up space can feel great, but it can be difficult to decide how to approach it all. Decluttering expert Beverly Wade suggests these six simple steps.
STEP 1
Get rid of anything that’s doubled up
STEP 2
Enlist a friend
“When you start to declutter your home, check that you haven’t doubled up on items,” says Beverly. “It’s easier to start doing this rather than fight with yourself over whether or Old wornnot you need out boots something.” For lurking in a example, perhaps cupboard? Throw you bought some them out! new boots but haven’t thrown the old worn ones out yet – they could be the first to go. “We often double up on bathroom products, so make sure you only have one of each item on the go but store spares where you can see them,” says Beverly. “This will cut clutter and stop you wasting money on things you already have.” Do this in every room of your house.
If you’re planning on tackling an overflowing cupboard then aim to throw away at least ten per cent of its contents. That might seem a lot but once they get going, most people end up getting rid of around 25 per cent. If you find it hard to get rid of things, ask a friend to come and help you. “Explain to your friend why you think you should keep each item and let them decide if that’s a valid reason,” says Beverly.
Box up what isn’t yours
STEP 4
Recycle, donate, sell
When you’re sorting through the things you no longer want, put them in three piles – a recycling pile for items that can no longer be used but could be recycled, a charity shop pile for items that could be sold on in a charity shop and a sellon pile of things such as old records, vintage clothes and jewellery that you might be able to make some extra money from. Always check what items your local charity shop accepts and in what condition they accept them in. The British Heart Foundation, The British Red Cross and Sue Ryder are among some of the many charities that organise collection services. Contact your local branch to find out more. Don’t forget about Freecycle (www. freecycle. org), which allows you to give away unwanted items free to people nearby who need them and is ideal for getting rid of large items. Sell on records and old clothes to local second-hand shops or online on sites such as www.ebay.co.uk ✢ Find out more about selling things online at www.yours.co.uk/ebay
Ch arit y
E YC L RE C
SE LL?
Sort things into three piles – a recycling pile, a charity shop pile and a pile of items that could make you some money
STEP 6
STEP 5
Call in the heavy lifters
If you’re looking to get rid of a heavier item, then put in a call to your local council and apply for a special collection. A lot of councils will collect bulky items such as old sofas, fridges and freezers or washing machines for a fee. That fee is per item, though, and the maximum number of items they will collect at one time is 12.
Stop it piling up again
It’s easy to slip back into old habits and allow the clutter to build up again. Certain places around the house collect clutter easily, so identify the nooks and crannies that regularly attract the most clutter, then set aside a few minutes once a week to sort them out. Think of ways to minimise the build -up of unwanted items. “Keep a bin bag at the bottom of your wardrobe and add items on a regular basis that no longer fit, have become worn, or that you just don’t like any more,” recommends Beverly.
✢ Call your local council or visit www.gov. uk/collection-large-waste-items
FOR MORE ADVICE... ...on how to declutter your home, Beverly recommends the following books. ✢ One Thing at a Time: 100 Simple Ways to Live Clutter-Free Every Dayby Cindy Glovinsky.
Published by Owl Books. Available for £12.04 on Amazon.co.uk
Published by St Martin’s Press. Available for £9.56 on Amazon.co.uk
✢ Making Peace with the Things in Your Life By Cindy Glovinsky.
✢ Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life by Julie Morgenstern.
Published by St Martin’s Griffin. Available for £11.30 on Amazon.co.uk
✢ NEXT ISSUE First aid for your pets
PICS: ALAMY; ISTOCKPHOTO; SHUTTERSTOCK
Children who’ve moved out often leave us with stacks of their belongings. If you have piles of their old shoes, or perhaps the stuff that won’t fit in their house, the best thing you can do is box it all up and label everything clearly for them to collect. “You have to remember that if it was important, then they would have taken it with them,” says Beverly. “If you want to try to get rid of their things, then phone, email or send a letter and gently remind them that you have their things and that you’ll be taking them to the charity shop on a set date unless they want to collect them.”
II
STEP 3
So you think you know the…
Hawaiian Islands? From dramatic history to incredible wildlife, Hawaii offers so much By Lizzy Dening
Animal magic
✢ For an up-close wildlife encounter, visit the islands’ best snorkelling location – Hanauma Bay State Park, on Oahu. Not only is this little piece of paradise home to numerous tropical fish and green turtles, but it’s also the spot where Elvis’s beach house was set in Blue Hawaii. It’s very popular, so if you want to park a car you need to get there early. Alternatively, make use of a $24 shuttle bus service from your hotel. Entrance to the park costs $7.50pp, under-12s free. For an extra dollar you can use a locker to store your valuables when you take to the water. ✢ www.hanaumabaystatepark.com
110
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
Elvis in film Blue Hawaii,1962
A tasty trip Spot turtles on a snorkelling adventure
✢ The Hawaiian Islands are the winter home of humpback whales, which visit in massive numbers (more than 10,000) between January and March. Here they mate, give birth and nurse their young – so if you’re really lucky you might spot a calf with its mother. Your best chances are the waters of Maui Nui and you’ll find numerous boat trips leaving from Maui’s western shore.
✢ Hawaiian food is so much more than just pineapple on pizzas! Tender kalua pork has a smoky, salty taste; fish fans will enjoy lomi salmon Local fare – haupia (above) which is diced with tomatoes, and lomi salmon crushed ice and green onions, and vegetarians can tuck into a steaming bowl of poi – a sort of soup made from mashed taro plants. For dessert, try haupia, a coconut milk-based pudding served in blocks. And that’s without mentioning the islands’ longheld affection for Spam which is treated as a delicacy and added to soups or stews.
Made up of eight main islands A sense of history in the Pacific – Kauai, ✢ For a humbling Kahoolawe, Niihau, Oahu, experience, make some Molokai, Lanai, Maui time to visit Kalaupapa and Hawaii – this is National Historic Park, on the perfect holiday Molokai. This site was home break to more than 8,000 exiled leprosy sufferers from 1866-1969 and can now be explored, with the help of a local tour guide who drives a yellow school bus between notable spots. It’s free to visit but you can only do so with a local guide or by invitation from one of the former patients still living in the area. The best way to reach it? By mule! Take a (slightly hairy) route down steep cliffs to the shore and the Historic Park with a Kalaupapa Guided Mule Tour – it’s pricey (at $199 for the mule tour and entry to the park) but it’s an experience like no other. ✢ To book a tour to the Historic Park, visit www.fatherdamientours.com; Mule Tour www.muleride.com
✢ Pay tribute to the 2,390 dead and hundreds wounded in the wartime attacks on Pearl Harbor by visiting the area, found on Oahu. The events of 1941 are commemorated over five sites including the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, where you can learn about the undersea battle, and step aboard the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger’ to explore the sleeping quarters and torpedo room. A tour costs $12.
Wonders of nature
✢ It’s no surprise that, on a series of islands formed by lava, there are several active volcanoes to visit. Take a trip to the huge Hawaii The 500-year-old Volcanoes National Thurston Lava Tube Park where there are an unspoilt 333,086 acres to explore, as well as Kilauea – one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Stop off at a steam vent to see steam rising from the Earth’s interior, or walk through the Thurston Lava Tube – an incredible 500-year-old natural tunnel which once housed a river of molten lava. Prices vary but start from $8 for visitors on foot, or $15 for vehicles. ✢ www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm
✢ www.bowfin.org
✢ On a long-haul trip, it can often be cheaper to fly to another European city before going on the longest part of your journey, plus you can take advantage of a night in another destination en route. ✢ The best days to fly are between Tuesday and Thursday, avoiding the Monday morning business travellers and weekend escapers
for better fares and availability. ✢ Increase your chances of an upgrade on a flight by making sure you dress smartly – it can work! ✢ Found yourself sitting beside a smelly toilet on the plane? Wait an hour or so, and then (politely) complain to the stewards. They may be able to move you
You’ll find handy travel advice on www.yours.co.uk/traveltips For more information on visiting Hawaii and choosing an island to explore, visit www.gohawaii.com/uk/
Exchange rate at time of printing, £1sterling = US$1.44
elsewhere on the flight – fingers crossed for first class! ✢ When booking seats on a plane for two people, choose the window and aisle seats. Then if no one chooses the middle seat you get the whole row. Or if the seat is filled you can politely ask the person to swap seats.
✢ NEXT ISSUE So you think you know... Los Angeles YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
111
PICS: HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY: TOR JOHNSON, BIG ISLAND VISITORS BUREAU: KIRK LEE, ALAMY, GETTY IMAGES
make life easy
Travel tips for a great flight
mfrom y lessons life… Musical theatre winner and Casualty actor, Lee Mead, talks about fame, being a dad and the importance of listening to others ✢ Work isn’t everything
✢ Fame is fun – but odd, too When I was part of –and then won – Any Dream Will Do in 2007, it was really weird being in the media spotlight. I’d done plenty of auditions and shows, but never in front of 10 million people! After the show I got stopped in the street every five minutes, which was lovely, but there were some occasions when I did just want to sit on the tube quietly. But it was a wonderful time from which I’ve got memories for a lifetime.
✢ I’ll never be a pushy parent I always make sure I leave time to do the school run and spend weekends with my daughter Betsy, who’s five. She’s so funny and has taught me a lot. If Betsy wanted to go into musical theatre, I’d support her but it would be her decision. You get a lot of pushy stage parents who want their children to be stars, but that’s not going to be me. Acting isn’t always fun – I’ve spent many years unable to get work, living on non-stop tuna pasta.
✢ I would love to teach If I hadn’t become an actor I would have gone into teaching. I love the spirit and 146
YOURS
EVERY FORTNIGHT
naivety children have and think it would be such an honour to help someone grow into an adult.
✢ Listening is so important The best thing you can do in life is simply give your time to someone and listen. A couple of years ago, when I was going through quite a dark time, a complete stranger sat next me on a bench by the beach and just listened to what I had to say. I never got his name but we just spoke for 20 minutes about life. There really is a lot to be said for just being there for someone.
✢ I’d love to play a baddie I made the change to TV in 2014 because it’s something I’d always wanted to do. I had such a blast on Casualty – especially jamming with guitar-lover Derek Thompson (who From top: Lee in has played Charlie Fairhead for 30 long-running drama years) between scenes. I’ve finished Casualty; with with Casualty for now but I’d love to do daughter Betsy; a gritty TV drama like Jack the Ripper and left, in search of Joseph in Any and have a go at being a baddie! Dream Will Do, which gave him his big break
✢ Lee’s new album, Some Enchanted Evening is out February 26. ✢ Lee was talking to Katharine Wootton
WHAT MADE YOU WHO YOU ARE TODAY? My mum gave me my love of music as I remember her singing round the house all the time when I was a young boy. She used to play George Michael, Elton John and the Carpenters. I’m desperate to get my mum on stage with me one day!
PICS: BBC/ REX/SHUTTERSTOCK; GETTY IMAGES
It might surprise people, but outside work, I’m not really a huge musicals fan. I’m fortunate to do a job that I love, but I think the most important thing is that I have a life completely separate from that. For me, it’s more important to switch off, come back to my place by the sea and see old friends.