10 Questions for Amanda Lamb

Amanda left school at 15 to start her career as an estate agent. She gave that up to become a model, and found fame on TV and billboards as the face of Scottish Widows for 10 years. She’s now a TV presenter and lives with her husband Sean and two children

HOW HAS PROPERTY BUYING CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

In my day people came in and took away details to read later. Now they just go on the internet and decide – in three seconds – if they like it.

SO HOW DO WE MAKE OUR HOUSE STAND OUT ONLINE?

Tidy up! Don’t put photos on the net when you haven’t even made the bed, or if there are wet towels on the floor. Selling means decluttering.

WERE YOU ANY GOOD AS AN ESTATE AGENT?

I loved the job. I’m a natural matchmaker anyway. For showings I used to get there early and tidy up before a client arrived.

DID IT EVER GO WRONG?

We had a filthy place we couldn’t sell so I tidied up, washed the dishes, hoovered and made the bed. It worked and I got an offer for it. I rang the seller who told me he’d sold it with another agent months before. I’d actually broken in and tidied up a stranger’s house.

WHAT HABITS DO YOU HAVE THAT ANNOY PEOPLE?

I’m obsessively tidy (my junk drawer even has neat containers in it) and I’m nosey. I love autumn when people have their lights on but haven’t closed the curtains. I can see their pictures and furniture then.

WHAT’S YOUR PET HATE?

Our obsession with screens. I was in the park and a kid shouted “look at me, mum”. The mother didn’t even look up from whatever Kim Kardashian was doing online that day. Terrible.

BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

Mum said: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I changed that to: “When life gives you lemons, put them in a large gin and tonic.”

ARE YOU A NATURALLY HAPPY, ADVENTUROUS TYPE?

No, I’m a glass half empty, rather than half full, type of person. I have no idea why. I err on the side of caution.

DO YOU LOVE RED CARPET EVENTS?

No. They’re scary. As I get out of the car and see the photographers I feel nauseous. I get a nervous tick at the side of my mouth when I’m having my photo taken.

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO

YOU SPEND IT?

In the Maldives, swimming with my husband and daughters. I’d drink gin and tonic and eat roast chicken, my two vices. We have too much life in us for it to completely disappear, so I’m hopeful there’s something waiting for me afterwards.