Rochelle: ‘I’m not a lightweight – I can keep up with Phil!’
The TV presenter tells us all about her new daytime gig
There’s been some major reshuffling in TV land. While we were happy to hear that Holly Willoughby would be keeping Declan Donnelly company down under this year on I’m A Celeb, we couldn’t help but worry what this would mean for poor old Phillip Schofield. After all, a morning without Phil and Holly is like a morning without an extra-shot latte – it can only lead to a bleaker day. But worry not, daytime TV lovers, because Holly’s spot is being kept warm by Rochelle Humes, who tells us she’s enjoying the challenge. Oh, and she can match notorious party-animal Phil drink for drink, too. Here, the former Saturdays star talks early starts, spending quality time with her husband Marvin Humes, and why – since having daughters Alaia-mai, five, and one-year-old Valentina – it’s always Christmas… Congrats on the this Morning gig! Thank you! It’s exciting. People keep congratulating me, but I’m only there to look after the spot while Holly’s away. It’s nice that Holly trusts me, but I’m just hanging with Phil and keeping him company. Phil and holly are famous for rocking up to the studio after a bender – can you keep up? Well, I’m not a lightweight. I wish I was! Although, the next day, I don’t feel so good. You have to be up at the crack of dawn – has Marvin been taking on more morning duties? Yeah, he works in the evenings on his radio show, so it’s working out quite well. He’ll do the school run in the morning and I’ll pick them up. I’m back home by 1.30pm, so we have a few hours together, too – we probably see each other more than usual, because I have a routine. And we both have Fridays off, so it’s lovely to have that time together.
‘Me and Marvin aren’t couple goals in the morning’
What do you think about you and Marvin being called #couplegoals? You should see us in the mornings, we’re not couple goals then. It’s funny, we just never think about it. We’re so normal at home. But I’m the domestic one. You know when you’re running out of the door in the morning and there’s just a trail of destruction behind you? That’s him. He’s great with the kids, he’s just very messy. You’ve been working on your festive New Look edit – has it put you in a Christmassy mood? I can’t wait to be at home and be together with the family. No plans, just relaxing. That’s what Christmas is all about – eating lots, having a few cocktails and enjoying yourself. Does your new collection reflect that? Yeah. There’s lots of cosy knits, some great coats and scarves, and pyjamas, too. That’s me as soon as I get home – clothes off, hair up, pyjamas on! How about Marvin? Will he be dressing up as Santa? For me? [Laughs.] That’s terrifying. No, he won’t. But I have an app, where “Santa” calls you and you select a name and how old your child is, and they say, “I need you to listen to Mummy or I won’t bring you presents.” It’s amazing – it’s always Christmas in my house.