Born in Surrey, Mel Giedroyc, 47, went to Cambridge University, where she met Sue Perkins. They performed at the Edinburgh festival as Mel & Sue in 1993 and hosted Channel 4’s Light Lunch in the late 90s. Since 2010, they have been presenting The Great British Bake Off, which returns to BBC1 later this month. She is married to TV director Ben Morris, has two children and lives in London.
When were you happiest?
Yesterday: sun-lounger, back garden, cup of tea, radio on.
What is your greatest fear?
Losing my sense of humour.
Which living person do you most admire, and why?
Probably my husband. In a world of bullshitters, he steers a tremendously honest course.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
A tendency towards the cheesy.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Snideness.
Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought?
A powder-blue 1974 BMW, which I named Ronson after Mick Ronson, David Bowie’s guitarist.
What is your most treasured possession?
A bright green headscarf with cows printed on it. I take it everywhere. It’s immensely comforting.
What would your super power be?
The jumping-up/kicky-leg thing will do me. Is that a super power?
What makes you unhappy?
When my kids are unhappy.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
Teeth (both rungs).
Who would play you in the film of your life?
Klaus Kinski.
What is your most unappealing habit?
Constant guffing.
What is your favourite smell?
My kitchen.
Which book changed your life?
The Magic Mountain, by Thomas Mann. Read it. You’ll see.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Valerie Singleton.
Is it better to give or to receive?
Give. No, bollocks. Receive. Aargh.
What is your guiltiest pleasure?
Fig rolls. While watching Downton Abbey. Nude.
To whom would you most like to say sorry, and why?
To Nick Knowles. I was heavily pregnant and for no apparent reason (I’d never met him), I dissed him in a Radio Times column. I never do things like that.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My extended family – every goddamn member of the whole bonkers tribe.
What does love feel like?
Sun-lounger. Fig rolls. Family. Kitchen smells. Green headscarf. Everything.
Have you ever said ‘I love you’ and not meant it?
I sincerely hope not.
Which living person do you most despise, and why?
Nick Knowles. I’m kidding! I love him! (Oh, hang on… I might have just said I love somebody without meaning it.)
How often do you have sex?
Cheeky!
What is the closest you’ve come to death?
I don’t want to think about it. It makes my bottom go funny.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
If you think that you have one, then you’re a bit of a prat, aren’t you?
Source: https://www.theguardian.com
