Life and loves

Career high

Where Memories Go getting on Sunday Times bestseller list – it was the first time I realised this book could change things. People would say ‘I lose my temper and feel like a terrible person’ and somebody said

‘I no longer feel guilty’ and I thought ‘wow, if that’s all I’ve achieved, that’s great.’ What began to happen as the book got read is that doctors and nurses and care professionals said ‘I never knew that’s what it was like for a family, this is going to alter the way I do my job’.

Career low

Being offered BBC Crimewatch after my friend Jill Dando was murdered and taking too long to think about it.

Last book read

Midwinter Break by Bernard Maclaverty – beautifully observed, sad, humane. My favourite book in the world is Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens. I try to read it every five years or so.

Favourite music

Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto – it makes me want to rejoice and cry at the same time – and play the clarinet better.

Favourite film

Schindler’s List – it’s brilliant

Best advice you’ve ever received

Who’ll care in a hundred years?

The ideal dinner party

The real Asta Thorsteinsdottir (headline guest), Susan Calman, pictured (for Strictly gossip), my mum Mamie (to tell jokes), Jordan Peterson (to pick fights), James IV of Scotland (fulfilment of schoolgirl crush), and Charles Dickens (so I can grovel at last, “I’m your biggest fan, Mr Dickens”).