One of the perks of presenting a breakfast show is that every morning the door to Narnia (studio 2) is opened and in walks another lamb to the slaughter. It's then up to Jono and myself to grill, jostle and prod the guest celebrity into a relaxed and comfortable state. Given the early hour, some respond better than others. Their entourage are encouraged to stay outside the studio until their charges are returned to them. It's akin to dropping your kids off at nursery; "Off you go...have a play....we will be waiting outside with your coat and a well done hug". I'm often impressed by the turn out of many of our guests. Ruthie Henshall looked fabulous at 8am damn her, having been on stage the night before and when most peoples' post slumber faces need ironing - one quick glance at our website gallery will show you how Jono and I scrub up in the early hours. His chins are bristly and the constantly worn shorts creased, whilst I resemble a cross between a startled pekinese and a maggot.
 | | Jono, Jason and JoAnne |
So flirting really isn't an issue. Neither of us would be so bold. Usually. But as I say, this particular morning, Jason Donovan (with only one entourage) entered Narnia, looking dishevelled, sleepy, grinning, charming and gorgeous. I like to think it was my maternal instinct that led me to become monosyllabic and unable to stop staring. He was promoting his Sweeney Todd tour but, unusually, was prepared to talk at length about everything else in his life. There was none of the guarded 'Don't go there, that's one question too many' looks that I've come to expect. Admittedly Jono was asking all the questions. For once my habit of interrupting had been curbed as I listened to the two of them, joined by the antipodean umbilical and being egged on by the travel girls whose faces were pressed to the studio glass. I was enraptured. Even more so when he dropped his notes to the floor, bent over to pick them up and myself and the travel team were shown the inch of brown flesh between his jeans and t-shirt. I just kept staring. He didn't even look like Jason. Well not the Jason on the posters adorned on bedroom walls of girls who had since lost interest in Barbie. He looked older, happier, contented and..well...more interesting. Eventually, Jase was collected, hugged, coated and left. | "I like to think it was my maternal instinct that led me to become monosyllabic and unable to stop staring." | |
As I've said,this has never happened to me before. I liked the look of Gile Coren on The F Word. Lucky for us he was doing the rounds. We invited him on but having met him, I found his dad more attractive. He came on my Late Show with a screwdriver and offered to screw the handles back on the drawers in the studio kitchen. I laughed like a drain. Lucky Mrs Coren. Baylen Leonard works with me and Pete Sport on the Saturday Breakfast Show. We have a keep fit slot with visiting experts. Last week ,Baylen was definitely flirting. And it wasn't with Pete or me!Whilst doing push ups to Bobby Crush on the turn table you could sense the interest between trainer and presenter. Marvellous. Jono has only ever flirted with a guest once since I've known him. An actress. When I pointed this out to him he denied it, grinned and then phoned Margot (the child bride) during the news break."Hi darls...did you hear that last interview?"From the lack of response I can only assume she'd been asleep. Phew. April, 2006 |
