The TV presenter and author talks Cornwall, creativity and crabbing

What inspired someone who’s spent a lot of their life around London to write about a tiny Cornish fishing village? I’ve loved Cornwall, especially Looe, since I was a little girl. My mother would always bring us to stay in the same holiday cottage (called The Dolphin) and I just felt so safe – I could walk along the beach on my own and paddle all day. There was a Punch and Judy man, speedboat rides, catching mackerel – I just loved it. Since 1980 I’ve had a property of some sort down here, and I take my own children on the same kind of holidays. We had a caravan here for 10 years so it was all crabbing competitions, walking across Bodmin Moor in the rain and wind, pasties and more speedboats. Crabbing competitions? You have 1 hour to catch as many as you can, but I might award you a prize for the biggest one too. It’s always best with an incoming tide, which brings them in. Never bother if the tide’s going out. You’ve danced on Strictly; greeted Britain every day for a decade on This Morning; and presented cookery, comedy, chat and awards – a pretty varied bag. What’s next? I love television – it’s now my 36th year. The whole decade on This Morning was a huge highlight, there was so much variety, but I don’t think doing five mornings every week is for me at this stage in my life. I actually really enjoy doing political work (I interviewed Tony Blair about the Iraq war, for example), even though I know people don’t perceive me that way. While Clare Balding is away covering the Olympics this Summer, I’ll do her Radio 2 show, and we’re also doing another series of the BBC antiques show For What it’s Worth. I’m no expert on the antiques, but it’s a treat to be around all those beautiful objects. One of your early news reports was about the Penlee lifeboat disaster in December 1981. What was that like? It was such a shock and disbelief, we all felt
rather numbed by it, as if it was unreal. As the names came through of people that were lost, and we realised the impact on so many families and the community, it was the saddest thing ever. One thing I really remember though is the incredible warmth that came through, not just from Cornwall but the whole world. I think it was the sheer heroism of those volunteers, and the fact it was at Christmas too. Last year you donned a pair of yellow RNLI wellies for our Mayday campaign. Why do you support our volunteer lifeboat crews? Having spent so much time in Cornwall, I do meet a lot of people who just drop in that they’re on the crew and I’ll think ‘bloody hell – I know a hero!’ I went out on the Padstow lifeboat in the Summer of 2014 for one of their evening exercises and there was a bit of a swell, nothing much. The (now) Deputy Launching Authority Dave Flide said to me that when it’s a really rough night, of course they can get scared and seasick, but they just pass the bucket and get on with it. I can’t believe they put themselves through that, as volunteers, all for someone else’s safety. They’re incredible people.
Interview: Laura Rainbow
Photo: RNLI/Nigel Millard

MY FAVOURITE

DAY BY THE SEA
I’d start with a walk on the beach, then a speedboat trip (I have my RYA
Powerboat Level 2 certificate) round the bay and a fish and chip lunch. The afternoon’s for a crabbing competition followed by a swim and bodyboarding.
COASTAL
DESTINATION Most of Cornwall, but Sennen Cove has a really fantastic beach.
NOVEL
I read so many great books it kind of puts me off being a writer – I feel so inadequate! I’d probably choose the Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis. They gave me such a spiritual experience when I was young.