As the Tories know, the problem with setting yourself up as a shining example for others to follow is that when you get caught out, that proverbial substance really hits the fan.

I think a lot of women are incredibly tough and they're just really admirable. Especially the way that, given what they've got, they just manage to carry on.

Men are fantastic - as a concept.

I think there's a danger that we're moving towards a state where the people we are expected to admire are almost not human anymore, and I don't like that. I prefer it when someone looks like a nice person, and you think, 'I could have a laugh with them in the pub.'

When I was a nurse I never had much money, and I was still happy then.

I think self-esteem is fluid. It's not a fixed state, and so some days are better than others.

Even when I wasn't overweight I was never one of those girls or women who wanted to look nice. I always thought it wasn't important.