I was thrilled when a designer shop assistant said I was a size smaller than Madonna!

I've always taken risks and bought property well. As journalism wasn't particularly well paid, buying homes and selling them for profit improved my income.

I eventually got a job with a television company, started to see how exciting journalism could be as a career, and decided that was what I wanted to do.

Teachers are the worst. Just shameless about kicking off their rivals.

Every mother and daughter should make time for a trip together. It's good for the soul.

I think that in a family some are workers some are not. I certainly saw my mother work very hard and be in charge and never show any kind of fear about business deals. Her golden rule was you should never be embarrassed talking about money and asking for what you deserved. I take the same view.

I adore clothes - they're my weakest link! My mother was the same, and she taught me always to look polished.