How you look has become ridiculously disproportionate to what you do. Critics are more harsh on female presenters.

I cannot do the piece-of-talking-meat thing, the 'Here's your money, wear a pretty dress and take the cheque.' I'm not made that way. I have to be as good as I can be at whatever I do.

Turning 50 changed me and I'm far more accepting of myself. I'm not thin, but I am a size 10. I go in at the middle and very much out at the bottom and top. And now I think, 'Well, that's how I am.

I do need my independence. I have to have that.

There was a great strain in our family because my father didn't want anything to do with me. He was happy to see my brother and sister, but not me. I don't know why. Maybe it was shame. I don't know. But he never wanted anything to do with me. That rejection was terribly hurtful and it went on for years.

I'm a bit frightened of the idea of a full facelift because, when you look in the mirror, you want to look like yourself.

Most people have the wrong idea about me because I've been very private.