I delivered leaflets for my dad and was paid £5 per thousand, which was slave labour.

Television came looking for me; it was never a plan to become a presenter.

It is security that I crave and money provides security. What is that old line about money? "Some is good, more is better and too much is just right."

My father's example taught me self-reliance, to make my own luck, and to work to make things happen.

People looking at what I do from the outside would think it was a secure world I live in, but it isn't. Just because you had a series last year, doesn't mean you will have one next. But I am quite happy with that.

My father was a self-employed, commission-only salesman. He sold double-glazing and fitted kitchens, amongst other things. As he never declared himself unemployed, there was never recourse to benefits, so if money was tight, money was tight. It taught me that we were a closed unit, and that we had to be resourceful.

I have always been quite careful when I have been approached to do a television project to have the option of writing the accompanying book.