When I look in the mirror, I see a mother. I have an 18-year-old and an 11-year-old, and they are my world. I am a working mum, so there's a lot of juggling. On the days I'm able to do the school run and the food shop, I don't wear make-up. I wash my hair and leave it, and I throw on a tracksuit. That feels like the real me.
I am very comfortable with what I see: I like my crows' feet, I like the fact that my forehead moves and I've got expression in my face. I'm happy and I can see that clearly. I feel good about myself and it's nothing to do with appearance. Last year, when my marriage ended, it knocked my confidence, but I got some of that back through doing Strictly Come Dancing. The cardio involved is very intense and although it can be painful, it lifts your spirits and you feel better afterwards.
I lost two stone dancing and I am now a healthy size 10. I love Sunday roasts and dessert. I used to exercise and think, "Oh my God, I've had banoffee pie. I've got to add an extra 20 minutes to my 40 minutes of cardio today." Now, I exercise purely because it makes me feel good; if a benefit is that I can eat two helpings of pudding, that's incidental.
I am at a point in my life where my whole drive is about being the best mother I can be. For me now, it's about being age-appropriate. So, in terms of costumes for Strictly, I said, "No cleavage and let's have some shorts underneath the skirt – let's remember viewers will be eating their dinner."