Louise Minchin’s Life Lessons
BBC Breakfast anchor Louise Minchin (52) chats about early mornings, shedding tears at the news and the man who is her rock
■ My husband is my rock
David is the biggest influence in my life. We will have been married 22 years this year. He is incredibly supportive, brilliant and my calming influence as I am always thinking about ten things at once! He is a great judge of situations, too. Whenever I take on a mad adventure, he will always be there as my support. He also has a great relationship with our two daughters because he has done the school run in the mornings for years, which means they have had the chance to chat together a lot.
■ I’ve shed tears
This year has been a year like no other and it has been challenging at times because what’s happened is a news story that affects us, too. You are dealing with human stories where people’s relatives have died and there have been a few moments when I have shed tears off-screen as the stories have really got to me.
Certainly, being at home more has taught me to calm down! I used to take on a lot of commitments, but I’ve learnt to take my foot off the accelerator and give myself space.
■ Good friends are invaluable
Dan Walker, my colleague, is a friend on and off screen. We have each other’s back, always help each other and make each other laugh, too. I still get up at 3.40am 20 years after I first started on BBC Breakfast because it is such a unique programme.
■ I love being a mum
My two daughters, Scarlett (19) and Mia (16), have never known any different to me being on TV. And I’ve always worked weird hours! Being a mum is a lifelong commitment, but I have loved every single stage of it.
■ Relocating was the right move
Making the decision to move from London to Salford nine years ago to be near the BBC’s Media City studios was the right one for our family. I knew the only way it would work is if we were all in or out. I knew that moving was going to be the way to do it and it has been an amazing experience. I wouldn’t change it for the world. We are hugely happy and I have got lots of friends here now.
■ Mad adventures are a must!
I am very proud to have been part of the GB Triathlon team and complete all my mad adventures! When I set myself something, I always invest time and energy. I broke my foot last year and really missed running, but I’ve started doing the NHS ‘Couch to 5k’ and
I’m enjoying that. I love being outdoors and, aside from the news, I’ve also got a podcast called Her Spirit. We chat to different people about why exercise is important. For me, it is good for my mental and physical health.
■ Celebrity Masterchef changed my cooking
I loved doing the show because I was a useless cook to start with! I didn’t know what could go wrong and I didn’t care because I was so happy-golucky about it all. I remember teaching myself how to cook paella on YouTube while on the train to the studio! Doing the show has had a huge influence on all our lives because it has changed the way I cook, buy food and eat. My daughters cook, too.
■ BBC Breakfast is on BBC1 daily from 6am
■ For more on the podcast Her Spirit, visit herspirit.co.uk
■ Louise was talking to Christine Smith