Linda: Meltdowns, middle-age spread & my marriage – my story in my own words
TV star Linda Robson opens up exclusively about her weight struggles, her 30-year marriage and her beloved Loose Women…
Funny and down-to-earth, Linda Robson, aka ‘Nanny Linda’, is the Loose Women panellist you could most imagine having a cuppa and a heart-toheart with (or maybe make that a hilarious girlie night out!). The much-loved North Londoner, 62, who opened up last year about her desperate struggles with OCD and anxiety, is looking happy and healthy these days and – despite the stress of the ongoing pandemic and family health issues – the mum-of-three seems on top form, as she chats with refreshing honesty about her life…
Congrats on your recent 30th wedding anniversary!
Thank you! Mark and I just celebrated at home, with the family, a Nando’s and a caterpillar cake from M&S. We’ve had our ups and downs but we’ve got through them – and we still like each other.
What advice would you have given yourself 30 years ago?
Be prepared for a rollercoaster. I’d never have imagined I’d suffer from depression or anxiety. At my worst, I’d worry I wouldn’t get through the night. If anyone had told me that, I’d have said ‘Nah, not me!’
You enjoy a giggle. Do you two have that in common?
Oh, one anniversary I got him a cake with the writing, ‘You’ve ruined my life.’ I remember putting it on Instagram and people going ‘that’s not nice’ – but that’s our humour! Mark and I laugh a lot. And Mark’s still got the same figure as when we married, unlike his wife…
Are you happy with your weight now?
I actually am. Last year I lost way too much. At the start it was fine, I was down to a size 10-12, but then I kept going. I was about 8st at one stage, but I looked about 110! I looked atrocious. I see pictures now at my tiniest and it just reminds me of being in a dark place… Because I was struggling with anxiety and depression, I had absolutely no appetite.
Well you look fab now…
I’m a size 12-14 now, and my face looks better, as it’s filled out and I generally feel better about myself. I started to put it back on when I went back to Loose five weeks after lockdown. It was great – even if we couldn’t hug! Work was my saving grace, I’ve worked since I was 10.
Has body confidence always been a struggle?
It has – but doing our Body Stories campaign in 2016 on LW was a turning point. We were all petrified to come out in our swimming costumes – but being together, we managed to have fun. I feel quite confident in my body these days. I’m at my happy weight and in a good place mentally this year.
Were you always healthy?
I’ve never been one for a fry-up. And I haven’t had a drink in two years. Two of my kids are vegan, they’ve run the London Marathon – they inspire me. Your health is everything. Sadly, my sister has breast cancer
and during lockdown, my niece was also diagnosed with it and my cousin – so we’re getting genetic testing now. Our aunts may have had it, we think – but there were no mammo-grams then. I’m just worried about my daughters, if I do have the gene that puts me at risk.
Has Loose Women kept you upbeat during these strange times?
It has… Kaye [Adams] texted me recently, saying, ‘It’s so great to have the old Linda back.’ There’s a thing on the show called, ‘Have you been Linda’d?’ – when I just very honestly tell people what they look like. The other day I told Kaye her dark lipstick just emphasised her thin lips. Days later, she texted me a pic and was like, ‘How’s my lipstick today?’ and I wrote back, ‘On point!’
You’re close to Birds Of A Feather co-star Lesley [Joseph], aren’t you?
During the initial lockdown I’d visit her in Wandsworth and talk to her through the window. We were like Romeo and Juliet. She’d start crying and saying, ‘I love you!’ I’d bring her flowers, but also jokey things like Tena Ladies. I love Lesley, she has a great sense of humour. We’re in talks to do a series about our bucket lists.
Sounds brilliant!
I’ve already done one thing, to jump out of a plane – Loose Women got me that for my 60th. I’d love to go stage-diving. Might have to wait a while… I’d dive into the crowd and there’d only be four people to catch me, in full PPE!
Do you get stopped a lot on the street?
I do – especially since they repeated Birds of A Feather in lockdown. People still ask for selfies, and I say, ‘OK, a socially distanced one!’ I was in the toilets of a coffee shop the other day, and a lady popped her head over the cubicle and went, ‘It is you, isn’t it? I love you on Loose Women!’
I nearly shouted ‘F*** off!’, but I went, ‘Do you mind waiting till we get outside?!’ I was laughing after.
Christmas is on the horizon – are you taking it easy?
I was meant to be doing panto in Liverpool, which was cancelled. But I’m looking forward to it, especially with my grandchildren, Lila and Betsy – with those two, every day feels like Christmas. I’m always in trouble for buying them too much. But if nanny Linda can’t spoil you, who can?!
l Loose Women is on ITV, weekdays at 12.30pm.