FEATURE COTTON 2009-2010: Presenter, Fearne And…
2017: Releases her new book, Happy
“Having experienced depression, I found the silver lining was talking about it. Writing has always been a great release for me so working on this book was incredibly healing. Depression is different for everyone but I’ve realised how many people are going through it too. It’s a lot better to talk to others.”
2016: Releases Cook Happy, Cook Healthy 2008-2016: Team captain, Celebrity Juice 2009-2015: Presenter, BBC Radio 1 weekday mid-morning show
“In 2010 we did an Eminem Live Lounge, which was terrifying because he swore throughout the rehearsal. I was worried he’d do that on air but he was wonderful. Leaving Radio 1 was so hard – I loved being a cog in the music industry.”
2014: Red-carpet presenter, BAFTAs
“I had three hot-water bottles with me that evening, which I hugged in between interviews because it was so cold. One year I wore Ugg boots and thick tights under my floor-length dress.”
2007-2014: Backstage presenter, BRITs
“I have hazy memories. The year Russell Brand presented the main show he ate a lot of bananas. The time the Osbournes presented, Kelly and Amy Winehouse hung out in my backstage area. Another time the Red Hot Chili Peppers congratulated me on my work – I nearly fainted with joy.”
2012: Presenter for the BBC’s Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant 2012: Herself, Keith Lemon: The Film
“Anything with Keith is fun. He doesn’t take anything seriously. We’re great mates off camera. People forget he is a dad, a husband and just playing a character.”
“I loved interviewing Craig David. He’s one of the loveliest guys. He took me out on a boozy night, then knocked on my hotelroom door early the next day to make me go for a run. Hell! That man is a machine. I was sweating gin from every pore.”
2007-2009: First regular female presenter of the Radio 1 Chart Show
“I wish more women worked in radio. This felt like a big deal so I had a responsibility to show up and be the best I could be.”
2007: Presenter, The Xtra Factor
“The days were long but with Sharon Osbourne around they were a joy. She always dragged me into her dressing room to have a good old gossip.”
2006: Co-presenter, Celebrity Love Island
“One of the happiest times of my life. I was 24 and got to live in Fiji for two months. My favourite moment was when Bianca Gascoigne had been romancing Leo from The Streets. After his eviction she moved on to Calum Best. Then they had a big party where Leo jumped out of a huge cake to surprise Bianca. Brilliant TV.”
2004-2006: Presenter, Top Of The Pops 2002-2004: Presenter, The Saturday Show 1998-2000: Presenter, Diggit 1996-1998: Co-presenter, The Disney Club
“It was surreal landing this aged 15 – I was revising for GCSEs. I’d scour newspapers for auditions. I was desperate to be an actress but this felt like a good starting point. It’s a course I’ve never veered off.”