It's cool to have a well run, comfortable and inviting home.

The late 1990s were good to me. I was doing the Lottery, GMTV and I had a good contract with ITV. But I was working so hard, I never had time to celebrate. I never thought I was lucky.

A lot of people live in a property that will one day be part of their pension, and that is true for me too. I have an investment I can sell with ease.

I am now at the age where I can withdraw a 25 per cent tax-free lump sum. I do not put in a set amount because my earnings are a moveable feast.

There's no getting away from it: you have to clean.

One wise decision I made was buying a plot of land with planning permission in Richmond, and building my own five-bedroom home on it. I sold three years after I completed the building and more than doubled my money. I like Richmond and always have my eyes open for other properties in the area.

Run a home like you would a small business and treat it with the same seriousness.