Time to PARTY
ANDI OLIVER on bringing communities together with some special celebrations
particularly challenging to organise?
Oh, yes! In Burnley, we organised a cricket match with the imams from a local mosque and the vicars from the church, but the weather was malicious – it rained in every possible direction! A twister even picked up the marquee and it landed on the cricket club inside out and upside down. But what I love about this country is that we’ll party anyway, no matter what the weather!
What makes a party magical?
To throw someone a party and show them how much you love them is a beautiful thing, and that’s what a party means to me. It can be four people or 40 people – it’s not about the size of the party, it’s about the intent. A good party is a true celebration of the spirit of the person or the people who you’re celebrating.
How did you celebrate your milestone 60th birthday last year?
My boyfriend [Garfield Hackett] surpassed himself. He rented a manor house in Surrey and it was a total surprise. It was a three-day festival, and the lovely Tom Kerridge even designed a beautiful menu for me!
You have an amazing wardrobe. Do you enjoy choosing outfits for your television shows?
I have the most incredible stylist in the world – she’s an absolute genius. I never feel I’m being forced into a specific look. She makes me feel like it’s my voice that I’m speaking with. And I love all the colour. I believe everyone feels much better if they’re wearing colour!
‘THIS SHOW IS A CELEBRATION OF US!’
Finally, with Easter around the corner, what is your top tip to help us have an egg-cellent time?
I’ll be slow-roasting a lamb, which is what I normally do on a long weekend. Sometimes people think, ‘Oh, I’ll make all these complicated things,’ but then you spend the whole bank-holiday weekend trying to get all these fiddly little dishes finished. Don’t do it to yourself! Once the lamb’s in the pot, you can just leave it to cook long and slow, and then watch a few episodes of Real Housewives with no faff!