ME…. AND MY HOUSEKEEPING!

Meet TV presenter Michaela Strachan

How would you describe your home?

It’s a mix-and-match-style, open-plan home with beautiful views of Hout Bay Harbour and Table Mountain National Park. Most things inside have a story or remind me of somewhere I’ve travelled.

How tidy is it? It’s certainly not messy. I’m a tidy person, to the point where it irritates people, especially Nick. I can’t even leave a hotel room unless the bed is made! The only messy place is the garage; my stepchildren use it for storage, so there’s a lot of stuff in there.

Cook for friends or eat out?

Cook for friends, but I’m a casual host. I put candles on the table and everyone gets a little wooden elephant on their mat, but you’re lucky if you get a glass that matches everyone else’s. And forget puddings; it’s ice cream or something shop-bought!

What is your signature dish? I do a pretty good nut roast, served with roast potatoes, butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, gravy and cranberry jelly.

What are your kitchen cupboard must-haves?

Muesli, which I have for breakfast every morning, and a packet of sweet and sour sauce and some dried noodles, because I love a stir-fry. I have an electric wok and, honestly, it’s amazing.

And your fridge? Fresh fruit and yogurt for my muesli and, without fail, there’s always some tomato ketchup in there!

What could you not live without?

Wine. We had an alcohol sale ban at the beginning of lockdown in South Africa. We had just enough bottles to last us, but only because I kept switching to gin and tonic. In future, I’m stocking up!

Who are your dream dinner party guests?

Ben Elton. I saw him do a stand-up show, which was hilarious. Michael Mcintyre, because he really makes me laugh, too. I’d also like Freddie Mercury to come back to life, so he could sing me a song to make me smile.

Are you a saver or a spender? A saver. When I was growing up, my father lost his job and we lost all our money, which taught me to save. When lockdown started, I lost most of my work for the foreseeable future and, although I was anxious about it, I didn’t panic because I’ve been saving since I was 16 years old.

A Le Creuset pan, which I got on a local Facebook group. I’d always fancied one but refused to pay the money they cost!

What’s your biggest extravagance?

I’m a bit stingy when it comes to spending money on myself, but

I like a massage. I sell it to myself by saying it’s not because I fancy being pampered, it’s to help my achy back.

What did your parents teach you?

My mum taught me to always look at the positives. My dad taught me to be cautious with finances.

What advice will you hand down?

To grab opportunities. Even if you don’t think you’re going to like something, try it. My career took a different path to the one I planned (I wanted to perform in the theatre), but if I hadn’t taken opportunities, I wouldn’t be doing what I love.

What is your favourite household task?

I’m a person who likes control in my life

Having a clear-out; I find it cathartic. I recently tidied my filing cabinet and I found letters from old boyfriends. I read them, chucked them away and felt really good afterwards!

What is your guilty pleasure? A film night with my family, the dog, a bottle of Chardonnay and a mint Aero. We watched Military Wives recently, which was fun.

What keeps you awake at night? Anxiety about the future of the environment and, more recently, uncertainty. I’m a person who likes control in my life, and for the past few months, none of us have had any of it. I’ve found that quite difficult.

What helps you stay calm? Yoga. I do it on Zoom twice a week and the deep breathing is amazing for releasing stress.

What simple thing sparks joy for you?

Sitting in the garden watching the birds. It’s incredible how it transforms how you feel.

Autumnwatch returns to BBC Two this October