5 THINGS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

Broadcaster and presenter Carol McGiffi n, 55, lives in north London with her fi ancé Mark Cassidy, 33, an accountant

1 MY PHOTOS I have a huge collection of pictures, including about 40,000 in a digital library on my computer, and 20,000 all neatly fi led into various albums.

My photos are a record of my entire life and I can spend hours happily looking through them all and smiling at my younger self.

I love looking at old photos from my childhood as they bring back so many happy memories, especially the ones of my mum in her glamorous 1950s dresses.

My fear of losing my prized photo collection in a fi re or a burglary is so real that I now have my digital library backed up on three different discs.

2 PHILIP STEIN WATCHES I was given my fi rst Philip Stein watch seven years ago and I loved it so much that I now have three. They all have detachable straps so you can wear them with anything.

They don’t only look fabulous but they come complete with Teslar Natural Frequency transmitters which help to promote good sleep, mood, focus and relaxation. I don’t understand the technology behind it but I can honestly say that they work for me.

3 BLACK CABS Having lived in London almost all my life I cannot imagine being without the city’s fabulous black cabs. I am probably biased but I think they are the best in the world. Minicabs might be cheaper but the drivers don’t have The Knowledge and they just aren’t as reliable.

I am a huge fan of the Hailo app, which means you can order a cab from your phone and the driver will come directly to your location which is far better than having to wait out on the street.

4 AIRPORTS Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and as my focus was very much on my treatment I was unable to get away on holiday.

I have always loved travelling, which is probably why airports are such magical places for me as they are the gateway to relaxation and adventure.

Normally I have about fi ve holidays a year and I have never felt guilty about that. I don’t have children or a mortgage and I work very hard. Travelling is my indulgence. Because we couldn’t get away last year I’ve recently gone a bit holiday mad and since January have been to Paris, Malaysia, Thailand, New York and Mallorca.

5 VACUUM CLEANER I have never had an addiction but my devotion to my Dyson Handheld is bordering on the obsessive as I use it every single day.

Of course Mark thinks I’m mad and he sighs every time I get my Dyson out but I simply can’t help myself. I have wooden fl oors and if I walk around in bare feet I cannot bear getting bits of fl uff stuck to my heels.

I am not a complete neat freak, though, as my Dyson means I hardly ever have to get the big vacuum out. That really would be far too much like proper housework.

Carol is supporting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. Take part in one of over 300 nationwide 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy events and help raise money that goes towards beating all 200 types of cancer. Enter now at raceforlife. org