Me... and my housekeeping!

Presenter Carol Kirkwood on being a tea addict, her binge-watching habit and the lockdown purchase that’s working miracles

BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, 58, lives with her partner in Berkshire.

How would you describe your home? It’s a bright house with lots of windows, neutral colours on the walls and pops of vibrant colour throughout. It’s not a show home, though; it’s somewhere you can come and kick off your shoes and slob out in front of the telly.

How tidy is it? Usually, it’s tidy and organised, but we had a flood at the end of last year and it’s in a bit of a mess. Looking at it makes me want to cry, but I have to remind myself that it will be a place of calm again. What are your kitchen cupboard must-haves? Pasta, tinned tomatoes, herbs and spices, and Worcestershire sauce. Everything does the backstroke in Worcestershire sauce in my house; we get through gallons of it! Would you rather cook for friends or eat out? I like to do both, but when my friends hear I’m cooking, they suggest we eat out. The cheeky beggars!

What is your signature dish? For friends, roast chicken with vegetables and potatoes. For me, pasta with tinned tomatoes and mixed herbs. What do you always have in your fridge?

Milk, because I’m a tea jenny, butter and, shamefully, wine. You don’t get these hips eating salad! Who are your dream dinner party

guests? James Martin to do the cooking, Bryan Adams to provide the music, Renée Zellweger because I love her films, and Jon Culshaw so he could entertain us with his impressions.

Are you a saver or a spender? Both; I only buy what I can afford. The most expensive thing I’ve ever bought is my house (and I didn’t pay for that in cash!).

What is the best bargain you’ve ever found? My DKNY winter coat. I’d seen it in a shop here and it was eye-wateringly expensive, then I went to New York with my sister and there it was – half-price! It would have been rude not to buy it. What has been your biggest

extravagance? My Dyson Airwrap, which I bought in lockdown. My hair has got so long that it makes me look like a Highland cow, but my Dyson has been a miracle worker. What did your parents teach you? To be kind, which is a big thing for me. I’d be horrified if I thought I’d hurt somebody’s

feelings. Also, to have good manners, be honest and work hard. What is your favourite household task? Hoovering, because it takes me back to my childhood. I suffered from asthma, which meant I had to stay home from school sometimes, and there was something comforting about being in bed and hearing my mum vacuuming downstairs. What is your guilty pleasure?

Watching Neighbours and Steph’s Packed Lunch. In fact, I’ve been watching just about everything recently. Forget one episode, I’m doing six at a time! What keeps you awake at night?

Knowing I have to get up for work at 2.45am and worrying about sleeping in. You never get used to it. I have been writing a book recently, too. It’s called Under The Greek Moon and I have had ideas going through my mind at all sorts of crazy hours. What always lifts you out of a mood?

Singing and dancing to loud music. Summer Of ’69 by Bryan Adams works every time. What helps you stay calm? Going for a walk in Windsor Great Park with my partner. We talk about anything and everything and we don’t see anybody else for miles. What is your favourite home comfort?

My pink fluffy dressing gown. It’s a great big hooded thing, which goes right down to my ankles, and getting into it after a bath is just lovely.

What is your health motto? A little bit of what you fancy does you good, including chocolate. Though in my case, I don’t exactly stick to a little when it comes to chocolate!

 BBC Breakfast is on BBC One daily from 6am.

Getting into my pink fluffy dressing gown after a bath is just lovely