‘WHY I LIED about my age’

Strictly Come Dancing star Kaye Adams, 59, lives in Glasgow with her partner Ian and their daughters Charley, 20, and Bonnie, 15

What are you like first thing in the morning?

I’ve got better. I’m not a natural lark, but I’ve now done early-ish radio for quite a long time [Kaye hosts the morning show on BBC Radio Scotland], so I’m definitely better. I’m a bit dozy, but reasonably good-natured, not snappy!

What’s your worst habit?

My kids say that in conversations I dart off on to another topic, saying ‘look at this’ or ‘look at that’. They get quite irate and tell me to pay attention, but that’s the wrong way round, as it’s them who aren’t keeping up. I call it multitasking, but they don’t see it like that!

If you’re home alone, what would you do?

I would be wearing my beloved dressing gown. I’d have a cup of tea, I’d be on the couch with my dog Bea, and watching something on a streaming service. There’s nothing better. Hacks is my favourite show at the moment.

Who or what makes you happiest?

It’s being with my family. Home with

Ian and the girls is definitely my safe place, it’s where I feel most comfortable. There’s no place like home.

What scares you most in life?

I don’t want to get stuck. I guess that was part of my motivation for doing Strictly Come Dancing. I’m getting older, and that brings its challenges. I’m not particularly good about the ageing process, but sometimes I’m aware of people my age and it’s very much that they don’t like change, new attitudes or new things. I don’t want to be like that.

What’s the best and worst thing about getting older?

I struggle with it, to be honest. It’s why I started my podcast, How to be 60, because this is the last year of my 50s. It’s a massive thing for me to be open about that, as I have basically lied about my age since I was 30. My mum always lied about her age. We used to laugh about it when we were young, but then I got into the same habit – once you start, it’s hard to get out of. It’s not so much a case of being honest with the world, it was more about being honest with myself. I’m keen to be more mature about it and grateful for the fact I am this age and have relatively good health.

Do you have any regrets in life?

Not really. I genuinely think that if you take all the mistakes or wrong decisions you make as a learning experience and grow with them, then they’re not wasted. If you use them, it’s all good.

What was your plan B?

To be a lawyer. It was what I was set on even when I went to university.

What’s your guilty food pleasure?

I love a baked potato with cottage cheese and sweetcorn, and I’m a big fan of oatcakes and peanut butter – which is so hilariously Scottish, I know!

What was your last argument?

I’m not much of an arguer, but my youngest daughter is the messiest human being on earth, so every so often I go into her room, saying what a state it’s in. But actually, I kind of do it out of some sort of knee-jerk obligation as a mother. I don’t care about it that much. As long as it doesn’t impact me!

✢ Kaye’s podcast, How to be 60, is available on all podcast platforms.