become more spiritual. A lot
of people just want to find
another man, but I think if you are
wise, you will take yourself on an
inward-looking emotional journey
and find “you” again.
Was it a conscious decision to
have time on your own?
I just wanted to see who I was.
It wasn’t always a happy path
because you can feel lonely and
you want to plug that gap. It’s like
being on a diet and thinking, “Oh
stuff it, I want to have that piece
of cake.” Looking back, it’s
probably been one of the best
things that has happened to me
because I am now a much more
rounded person. But it’s hard to
find yourself on your own, as the
kids were also off getting their
own lives. It was a big change that
can rip your innards out with
loneliness, but then you find you
are OK with yourself after all.
Did you have therapy?
Oh yeah, I’ve had a lot of therapy.
I’ve done a lot of research and
I tried a few people before I found
the right therapist for me. I didn’t
want someone to have a friendly
chat with – I have real friends for
that. I wanted someone who
would challenge my behaviour
patterns and help me break cycles.
You still have a great relationship
with your stepdaughters. Were
you worried that might not
happen after your divorce?
I had a conversation with the girls
when Grant and I split. I was so
traumatised at the thought of
losing them. But what I didn’t
realise is that they were also
having the same feelings. Claudia
said to me, “I can’t remember a
time in my life when you weren’t
there. So why would it be any
different?” I can’t imagine them
not being in my life and I can’t
wait for them to have babies. It’s
not an umbilical cord relationship- it’s a choice we make to stay in
each other’s lives. I like them and
they like me. It’s almost better.
They don’t have to, but we want
to hang out together.
Are you seeing anyone right now?
I’m going on lots of dates – I’m
auditioning!
What’s your criteria?
They have to make me laugh
and be up for an adventure. They
need to have the “thing”. It’s just
a feeling, a spark. At my age,
you’re no longer looking for the
father of your children, so all that
criteria is gone. I’m probably
ready for a relationship now,
whereas I wasn’t before. I’m
rather glad that a knight in shining
armour didn’t scoop me up
because I’ve sorted it all out for
myself. No one wants someone
who’s got “bitter and twisted”
tattooed on their forehead and
talks about their ex all the time.
Do you enjoy dating?
I think of it as like buying a pair
of jeans – you have to try on 15
different pairs before you take
home the one that fits. You wish
the first pair fitted perfectly, but
they never do!
Would you marry again?
Having been married twice [she
was with DJ Peter Powell from
1990 to 1998], I do believe in
marriage and it makes you work
harder at a relationship. My
default is to share my life with
somebody and, especially at this
age, when you’re no longer
running around after children, you
can have some fun. I want
someone who will nurture and
support me and have my back. If
I‘m lucky with my health, I’ve got
about another 20 years and I want
to make the most of them.
You did Celebrity First Dates –
would you go on any other
dating shows?
My agent practically had to drag
me there for that one! My date
ended up being a bit of a plonker,
but that was probably for the best.
I absolutely know within the next
12 months I will meet somebody.
I’m a great believer that if you put
it out to the universe, it will provide.
How are you feeling about
turning 60 next year?
I’m very accepting of it. I have
a happy life. Of course it would be