‘Dancing On Ice saved my bacon – this has been my busiest year yet’

Three years ago, pop singer and TV presenter Cheryl Baker ran so short of money that she had to work as an office administrator, answering phones and cold-calling customers. Now the 64-year-old Bucks Fizz star lives in a six-bedroom country manor worth more than €1m.

Her fortunes were transformed when she was invited to audition for Dancing On Ice, earning more in that year than she has ever made before. Cheryl has been saving into a pension since the age of 21. She is still recording albums and touring with Bucks Fizz. Her favourite treat, appropriately, is champagne.

What did your parents teach you about money?

They did not teach me a thing. They could not – they did not have any money and had five children instead.

Mum stayed at home to look after us while my dad was a shoemaker. I always knew I was poor and that other children were richer than I was. We ate poor cuts of meat and at Christmas we would have chicken instead of turkey. All our furniture and clothes were second-hand. The only things I ever got new were shoes because Dad used to make them.

What was the first paid work you ever did?

Working in a chemist as a Saturday girl at age 14. Once I was alone in the shop and a man came in and asked for some Durex. I replied: ‘Ah right, yes’ – and ducked down under the counter pretending to get them. But I just sat down there and would not come out until he had gone. I was so embarrassed because I knew what condoms were. He kept calling ‘Miss, Miss’ but I ignored him and eventually he left.

Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?

Yes, on and off since I left school at 16. The worst time was two years ago. I live in a big house with a mortgage and huge electricity bills and rates to pay.

I had no work coming in, but I was raised not to be a shirker so I rang a friend who runs a company. I told him I was struggling and needed to earn some money. He gave me a job in his office answering phones, coldcalling potential clients, typing letters and invoices.

I would say: ‘Hi, my name is Rita Stroud’ – my real name. They had no idea I was Cheryl Baker.

It was around that time I got the call asking me to audition for Dancing On Ice. That show saved my bacon and this last year has been amazing: the busiest I can remember.

Have you ever been paid silly money?

Thirty years ago, Bucks Fizz were asked to perform a three-minute song – New Beginnings – at a teambuilding corporate event for Boots the chemist. We were paid €8,000, the equivalent of about €20,000 today. It was insane.

What was the best year of your financial life?

This year. I did the Dancing On Ice tour and loads of Bucks Fizz gigs. Also a TV programme called Five

Celebrities Go Camping. Have I earned a six-figure salary? Definitely.

What is the most expensive thing you bought for fun?

In 1982 I bought a six-berth boat for £15,000.

What is your biggest money mistake?

Not buying a three-bedroom flat I was renting from the council in Bethnal Green, East London, in 1983. I had the right to buy it for £11,000 but I thought: ‘Ugh, who wants to live in Bethnal Green?’ Instead I bought the boat.

Now, everyone wants to live in Bethnal Green and that flat was recently valued at £500,000.

What was your best money decision?

Investing in property. I paid just £28,000 for my first home and kept moving up the ladder. If I sold my current home, which is in a tiny village in the Kent countryside, I would probably walk away with over £1m. It has six bedrooms and a pear orchard.

Do you save into a pension or invest in the stock market?

I started saving into a pension when I was 21. I work in a precarious industry and you never know what is going to happen when you get older.

What is the one little luxury you treat yourself to?

Champagne. I love it and treat myself to a bottle once every three months.