The day I had to cheer up Madge
THE BBC Radio 2 presenter explains why Barbra Streisand is her hero, shares relationship-saving advice from her mother… and reveals her saucy school nickname.
I was three-and-a-half years old when my sister was born,
and extremely disgruntled at the idea of being replaced. Apparently I said to my parents: ‘If you don’t throw that baby in the bin I will find myself a new mummy and daddy.’
I discovered boys very early on.
I was known as ‘Vanessa the undresser’ at school.
As a young Jewish girl, Barbra Streisand was my hero.
She was feisty, directed her films and kept her own nose. And she said: ‘Whatever I have to do now, in a few hours, I will be in the car coming home.’ I have always found it hugely comforting to know the fear will end.
The best piece of advice I’ve had
is from my mother who said: ‘In a relationship, you must preserve your mystique at all times.’ So do not shave your legs in front of your partner if you want them to fancy you.
I interviewed Madonna on The Big Breakfast.
She had kept everyone waiting hours and I said to her: ‘You seem very fed-up.’ She said: ‘Well wouldn’t you be if you had to answer the same questions?’ I replied: ‘I am capable of discussing politics or poetry or shopping.’ The next thing I knew, we were chatting about shopping and breastfeeding.
I would make imprisonment mandatory for knife crime.
I report on so many fatalities. There is no excuse for carrying a knife.
I can never finish a portion of food.
I have a gastric band. One of my most unappealing habits is wrapping what I haven’t eaten in a serviette and putting it in my pocket.
Someone said I had breasts like a First World War barrage balloon.