Linda Robson
LooseWomen’s Linda Robson, aka ‘Nanny Linda’, admits she was ordering takeaways every night during lockdown – but now she’s now determined to cut them out, and get healthy…
Mum-of-three Linda Robson – down-toearth, honest and with a distinct lack of filter (just as well hubby of 31 years, Mark, doesn’t tend to tune in!) is a firm favourite on panel show Loose Women. Here, the 63-yearold BirdsofaFeather star, who has bounced back after a rough few years, which saw her suffer a breakdown after battles with OCD and anxiety, opens up about her new health kick, and her knack for making friends wherever she goes…
Linda, how are things?
Not bad. I had an interesting night recently. I was all cosy in my pyjamas, watching Love Island, when I had to film a section for Loose Women called ‘Moongazing’. It was pouring it down, no moon out, and I had to lay outside with candles around me, soaking wet, talking about how gazing at the moon was making me feel! It was supposed to be relaxing, but it was the day of the flash floods so there were police sirens, all sorts…
Are you happy that restrictions have lifted?
I’ve had both of my vaccines, but I’m still cautious. I had Covid in January, but felt fine. I’ll wear a mask on a plane. I can’t wait to get on a plane. I was booked to go to Cyprus then it went ‘red’, so we cancelled. We’ll go somewhere. But I go, sometimes alone, to Roslin Beach Hotel in
Southend. It has a spa, so I love getting pampered.
You’re backing the ‘Better Health’ campaign...
Yes, Public Health England are encouraging people to embark on a healthier lifestyle, with free, easy-to-use NHS apps to help you lose weight and eat healthily. The Easy Meals app gives you calories per portion, and I’ve cooked lovely stuff like courgette, rocket and ham pizza, and pasta with veg in a herb sauce. People went off the rails – me included – during lockdown. I was having takeaways every night! Two of my children are vegan, so cooking two different meals was more trouble than it was worth! If my grandkids came around, we’d have pancakes or ice cream, too.
So, you’re turning over a new leaf?
I am. I’m 63, my grandchildren are four and nine and I want to be around when they get married, have children. I put on some lockdown pounds. I started drinking Coke – which I’ve never done. But I haven’t touched alcohol in three years. My guilty pleasure is still ham, egg and chips – and a milky tea. I take my grandkids to school twice a week, I do a lot of driving – so I want to walk more. I also want to start yoga again.
Are you kinder about your body, though, these days?
You know, I’ve finally embraced my shape. I’ve got cellulite and a bit of a tummy… but I lost a lot of weight when I wasn’t well a couple of years ago and looked terrible. I look healthy now. When I was younger, I spent my life on diets – now I just want to cut out sugar, eat less carbs and be healthy. I look to Janet StreetPorter, she’s 74, swims every day in the sea and looks amazing. I’m content. I dress for comfort – you couldn’t pay me to wear a pair of heels, and that’s OK.
Does Loose Women feel back to normal now?
We’ve got hair and make-up back now, which is lovely – though my daughter did a great job in lockdown. We’re just missing guests and a live audience. We did have Marti Pellow and Atomic Kitten in recently, all socially distanced. I saw members of the public queuing up at the studio for Bradley Walsh’s The Chase the other day – maybe it’ll be us soon! Our warm-up guy, Lee, hasn’t worked for a year, bless him.
You’re a tonic on the show, so funny…
I’m too honest. Sometimes things just… slip out, I get home and the kids are like, ‘ Mum! What did you say today?!’ Mark, thankfully, doesn’t have a clue. Now and again, he’ll bump into someone who tells him something I said, and I’ll just tut and go, ‘Oh, take no notice, Mark…’ What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right?!
What are your best and worst attributes?
My worst is definitely my OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder], meaning I can be washing and cleaning obsessively, which is a total pain for everyone around me. My best? Probably my sociable nature, and trying
to help others.
You’ve been in showbiz a long time. How do you stay so grounded?
I’m a people person, I’m a London girl. I have the same drivers take me to Loose Women and I know everything about them, I just love them. I’ll get into my car and go, ‘Right, let’s not go to the studios – let’s elope together! Let’s go to Brighton!’ I always make friends in Southend too, that’s just me. Mark jokes, ‘Linda, you’ve got enough friends, I’m confiscating your mobile, so you don’t give anyone else your number...’
Linda Robson is supporting the latest Better Health campaign to get healthier. Visit nhs.uk/ BetterHealth for free tools and support today.