My definition of success is to be happy. I think I’m doing well if I don’t run out of toilet roll, my hair’s clean and the kids are fed. That will do it for me. But everyone is different, and what makes one person happy would make another miserable. The key is to find what you want and go for it.
I have no idea what my appeal is. It’s lovely to be told that I’m an icon for women, even though I don’t believe it. One of the dads on the school run said his wife admired me because of the way I looked. He meant because I had no make-up on and scruffy clothes! And I’m glad, because I’d hate to be perceived as lofty and out of touch.
I stepped down from This Morning at exactly the right time for me. It was an amazing job and they were some of the best years of my career, but I wanted to be at home with my children while they still need me.
I have slowed down and I’m enjoying tending my vegetable garden, drinking tea there and listening to Radio 4 – bliss. I’ve not stopped completely, though. I’ve written a novel and I’ve been accepted on a course for traditional Chinese medicine.
Women are remarkable. We can do anything we put our minds to and we cope with everything life throws at us, usually a lot better than most men. We juggle and stretch ourselves endlessly.
There’s no perfect formula to live your life. I think we learn more when we’ve encountered hardship. You become a better person and appreciate the good times. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve got it right too. As a family, we’re happy, my kids are lovely and I’m proud of them all.
To have a successful marriage, you have to have trust and respect – and I trust and respect Phil completely. Plus I still fancy him, which is vital too. To find out whether you truly love someone, you have to ask yourself whether you’d use their toothbrush – it’s the acid test of marriage! I’d definitely use Phil’s.
Men don’t want women who are done up to the nines. They want someone who’s a giggle, who doesn’t mind their hair being messed up, and who’ll fall to the floor for a moment of unbridled passion if they fancy it.
I think it’s important to give back, that’s why I’m an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust (princes-trust.org.uk). It’s a brilliant charity that helps young people from deprived backgrounds. I’m doing the 45-mile bike ride from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle. I’m also doing one in China this year.
I don’t have any regrets about my life. We all do reprehensible things, but that’s part of who we are. No one lives a perfect life. For me now, my ambitions are to stay happy, enjoy life and keep trying new things.
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