Gaby Roslin: ‘CHRIS AND I BLOODY LOVED OUR JOBS!’
REMINISCING WITH THE ORIGINAL TBB PRESENTER
Can you believe it’s 25 years since The
Big Breakfast began?
I can’t. Honestly, it’s like I did it a week ago. Twenty-five? That’s a whole person growing up and maybe having children!
Why do you think it was such a phenomenon?
There had never been anything like it on television before. You saw the crew, and also Chris and I – without trying – got on ridiculously well. We respected each other and we loved our jobs – at the end of the day we’d go, “Ohmygod, we bloody love this.” So, it was fantastic. It was a massive break for both of us and it changed our lives. Also, there were no scripts, and for me that’s why I love live TV – it’s the most fun. It’s my drug of choice.
Who were the best guests?
Tom Hanks, Billy Crystal and Sean Connery. That’s not a bad top three. I was so excited to meet them. It was amazing, Crystal coming to the house. He did the live show and he didn’t want to leave! So I said, “Listen, can we just pre-record a Christmas special?” and he went, “Yeah, do it!”
You also had Kate Moss on, didn’t you?
It was one of the first and, I think, only live interviews Kate did. It was when she was going out with Johnny Depp, so we phoned him live on air and woke him up, and I asked him, “Do you fancy coming along to the house?” And he did. We then phoned Michael Grade, the boss of Channel 4, on air, and we kept the show live for an extra half-hour so we could interview Johnny Depp.
That would never happen these days…
Do you know what – I don’t think it would, and that’s a real shame.
What was your favourite game to play?
I remember one game where I chased Martin Clunes around the garden with a giant sausage, then licking chocolate out of his ear. We did some strange things.
What was your fondest memory of working with Paula?
She was one of the sassiest, sexiest ladies I have ever met. She was always sexy – and I mean that in a very positive way. She was a very strong female and a great mother. It was brilliant to work with her and Bob [Geldof, her then husband], Charlie Parsons and Waheed Alli [the Planet 24 owners] – it was such an incredible bunch of people.
Did you have any hairy on-air moments?
Just before Chris left, they got a boy I kissed at school to walk in live on air. Honestly, I thought I was going to swear! I screamed. I just couldn’t believe it.
When you left, did you take any souvenirs?
I don’t think I did. But I have the best memories. To me, it’s just extraordinary that people still stop me in the street and go, “Are you and Chris going to do The Big
Breakfast again?” Never say never… but that isn’t going to happen.