I studied Russian history at school, and I absolutely loved St Petersburg. It was magnificent - the architecture is incredible and has quite a significant Dutch influence.

Be open-minded so you can always see the other side of the coin.

Although I love travelling and I've been to some wonderful places, I always appreciate coming home.

My brother Steve was always considered the naughty one but I used to drive my parents to despair because I had no fear. Id climb a tree without testing the branches and I was always getting into scrapes.

My mum, Josephine, is a great believer that you can be whatever you want in life. I was raised as part of the postwar generation and encouraged to do well at school.

My first trip was probably to Camber Sands in East Sussex, where I remember playing in the dunes on the beach.