It’s a funny old world: TV critic Tina Baker

This week’s columnist: TV critic Tina Baker

It’s a funny old world

‘Even the kitten had had enough’

Television has kept me going over the past year. I’ve bingewatched hours, whizzing through entire box sets in days. At one point I was in danger of completing Netflix.

My lockdown’s probably been longer than yours, though of course it’s not a competition. This time last year, anxiety about the world going to hell in a handcart set off some pretty bad asthma attacks. Even though I’ve been working as a fitness instructor for the past 14 years, I was suddenly categorised as ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ and advised to shield, before official lockdown.

At least I can crack on with the writing, I told myself, watching friends thrive by making sourdough, completing million-piece puzzles and learning the tuba. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t read, let alone write.

After sleepless nights, I slumped on the sofa like a stunned mullet. A few weeks in, even the emotional support kitten had had enough, and the husband suggested I might feel better if I occasionally got dressed.

That’s when I started watching any old thing on TV. I lowered my standards. Then I lowered them again. And it cheered me right up.

In the evenings, after I’ve finished teaching my fitness classes online, I watch anything except the news, for obvious reasons.

My telly tastes have changed during lockdown. I’ve discovered The Great British Sewing Bee! I sob at The Repair Shop, although, to be honest, I sob at anything right now. I rarely watched repeats before, but now old favourites keep me sane, although it’s a close call some days. As I watch, I pootle about on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, chatting with friends I’ve never met in real life. They too have kept me from going under. Now, thank heavens, I am finally writing again. And when I’m desperate for escapism, I just look for some small screen glitter and glam as I curl up with the kitten in a onesie. (That’s me in the onesie, not the kitten.) Although the more glamorous TV folk might be appalled to learn I haven’t been to the hairdresser for over a year…

✢ Call Me Mummy, Tina Baker’s debut novel (£10.65, HB, Viper Books;

£3.79, Kindle) is out on 25 February.