‘Women are complex creatures and the dynamic is a lot more emotional’
Presenter Anna Richardson on the popularity of Naked Attraction, beauty tweakments and finding respect in relationships
Shropshire-born TV presenter and podcaster Anna Richardson is funny, open and honest, whether she’s talking about sex, dating or struggles with the menopause. She’s back on our screens with Naked Attraction – the controversial Channel 4 dating show that regularly has TV viewers gasping from their sofas. In it, single men and women pick partners in their birthday suits, before going on a date to test out their initial instincts.
As for her own love life, Anna dated fellow TV star and comedian Sue Perkins for eight years until what she has called their “excruciatingly painful” split in 2020. But she says they remain great friends and still “love each other” and she seems to have put the heartache behind her as she has been in a relationship with a “lovely man” for the past 18 months.
Here, Anna, 53, talks about why she says yes to Botox, how she would jump at the chance to present Naked Attraction in the States and why she would have no qualms about getting her kit off on TV...
Hi, Anna. How are things?
Good. It’s been very difficult I think for all of us in recent years, so I’m looking at 2024 with renewed optimism.
And
I was really hoping it would come back. It’s an incredibly popular show. It’s doing really well in the States too. I was absolutely desperate to do it.
Naked Attraction is back… Did they ever ask you to present it in the US?
Not yet. So again, I’m putting that out there to the universe. They’ve got all seven series at the moment,
but it’s taking the States by storm and they’re like, “What is this show?” Emma Stone was talking about it. She was over here in the UK promoting Poor Things and she and Mark Ruffalo were like, “Oh my God, we love this show.” It’s a big deal over there, so I’m just waiting for the phone call.
We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you. Would you relocate if they asked you to do it?
Oh 100%. Come on, Naked Attraction in the States, it would be hilarious. I’d be there in a flash.
Why was the show cancelled in the UK?
It wasn’t cancelled, so that absolutely was a bit of a myth and sort of misreporting. In 2022 we recorded quite a few episodes, so that’s why we didn’t record in 2023, so we had to wait for the green light for 2024.
If you weren’t in the public eye, would you ever go on a show like that as a contestant?
I would, 100%.
Would you show your nakedness?
Totally! I would, absolutely. I would show everything.
You look fab. Have you had a bit of a makeover?
I do everything. I’m 53, so… give me the Botox.
Give me the great skin stuff. I look after my skin really, really well. I do a lot of stuff. I always say yes to fillers, I always say yes to Botox. Always look after your skin.
Do you find you can get a bit addicted to it all? No, I don’t. If you manage it carefully, it’s fine.
When did you start getting “tweakments”?
Probably in my mid thirties. I don’t think it’s addictive. It’s just maintaining as much as you can.
Where do you get filler?
It depends. I’ve not had it done for ages, but I’m very interested. I’ve done a lot of shows about makeovers and body image, so I’ve filmed and gone to Dr Dray’s surgery, and he’s amazing. There are quite a few doctors I film with who I think are really good.
Do you find there’s a pressure to look good on TV, especially as you get older?
Of course there is, but equally, I’m really outspoken. I don’t really care, so it’s more for me and I just want to look as well as I can. I’m in my fifties and I think that’s OK. It’s difficult going through the menopause also, so I like to try to look as well as I can.