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July 2020 | REDONLINE.CO.UK‘Looking back on my career, I realise that I’ve
only got to this point by putting myself in
uncomfortable positions. I was always very shy
and I never really had the confidence to speak
up for myself when I was younger.
I started modelling in my teens, just so I could
earn some money to go on a gap year, and I’d go to
castings for things like toothpaste commercials and
sit in the waiting room, barely able to look anyone in
the eye, thinking, “Oh my God, I don’t know what
to do,” while all these other girls walked in looking
super-confident. I felt so uncomfortable, but I didn’t
give up – I pushed myself to keep going, to find that
confidence. And I owe my TV career to that.
These days, I try to say yes to the things that scare
me most. When I got asked to stand in for Ant
[McPartlin] on I’m A Celebrity, I was convinced that
this was going to be the really terrible year that no
one talked about because it was so rubbish. But I did
it anyway and I had the time of my life. And then
for people to say, “Actually, this isn’t the disaster we
thought it was going to be.” That felt really good.’
red woman
Do the things
that scare you‘I don’t need or want any more in my life, but my
biggest challenge is standing still and not being
tempted by too much. The current situation with the
coronavirus has really brought that home. It’s awful
and scary, but it’s also been an opportunity to
readdress and reset a few things in my life.
I feel more connected to my home now than ever
and it’s allowed me to recognise the wonderful
things around me. Most nights, we play a game
as a family called The Dinner Quiz, where Dan
goes around the dinner table asking everybody fun
questions. It’s really simple, but we always end up
laughing because one of us has said something silly.
To me, that’s real success, appreciating how
special the things are that are right in front of you.
It’s not having a gazillion followers on social
media, it’s cherishing the people around you. I hope
I don’t lose sight of how important it is to come
home, shut the door and focus on just being there.’Recognise
what real
success
looks likeFrom left: teenage modelling
days; the I’m A Celebrity wrap
party; winning a BAFTA; having
the time of her life in the jungle