Denise Van Outen

It wasn't through choice that I became a mum at 36. I wanted to be a young mum but things never worked out for me.

In LA, I live on sushi or salad.

I've never been on a fad diet.

Young girls look to me as a role model and think I crash diet to keep slim. That's not true, I always eat properly.

I don't know what I would do without my smartphone as I am on the go all day.

Essex is an amazing county, with its own set of rules. It's a completely different world.

I'm not changing to the point where suddenly I wear floor-length skirts and start playing the violin; I'm just growing up a little bit, I guess.

Everybody thinks if you do one thing, you can't do something else. So I like the fact that I can be versatile if I want to.

Much as I loved doing 'The Big Breakfast,' it almost became automatic. I need something to keep my brain ticking over, something that I have to concentrate on.

Now I look back and think if I'd spent more time enjoying myself instead of crying into my pillow over men, my 20s would have been fabulous!

I did like hanging out with all the rock'n'roll boys - it was fun but all those relationships didn't work out.

I'd got to that age when I was out on a date with a guy and I would be thinking: Don't mention your age, don't mention that you want a child - because they would just run out the door.

I did the Kilimanjaro climb a few years ago, then the six-day trek to Machu Picchu in Peru so this bike ride to raise money for Great Ormond Street seemed like the next big challenge.

At weekends, I've been going on long but steady-paced four-and-a-half-hour bike rides.

I used to spend all my school holidays cycling around, so all this training has made me feel like a kid again.

I eat quite healthily normally but, like everyone, have relapses and give in to the odd cake.

Like a typical Gemini I'm changeable, I can be two different types of people. I can be very outgoing, but sometimes very shy.

I mean, I'm lucky because I've slimmed down, but the last thing I was thinking about was losing weight.

About four or five weeks after it was publicly announced I was no longer breastfeeding, I got a letter from the NHS saying they were being supportive of me, but basically, they were very disappointed I'd stopped.

If you try to breastfeed and it's not working, then you don't feel particularly good about yourself.

Men pretend they don't like to be nagged, but they love it, really. It makes them feel wanted.

My daughter is my biggest achievement. She is a little star and my life has changed so much for the better since she came along.

After I had the Caesarean, I was told I had really strong stomach muscles and so would heal very quickly. And I did. I was up walking about within three hours. Six days after having her, I was out shopping and shortly after that I made it to David Walliams' wedding.

I do like my breasts. They're great, so much fun. You can do what you like with them.