THE REAL ME
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins, 48, lives in Surrey with her husband Mark, 50, and nine-year-old daughter, Ella Rose
How are you first thing in the morning?
I’ve worked in breakfast television since 2007 but ironically I’m really not a morning person. I need a cup of tea and my husband knows not to try and talk to me too much, which is not a problem on a work day when I’m up at 2.45am!
What is your worst habit?
I’m a procrastinator. I also find it hard to throw things out.
Some people will call it hoarding, I like to think I keep things in case I need them. I think, ‘If the clothes still fit me, maybe one day I’ll need to wear them.’ Someone needs to sort my life out!
What makes you most happy?
Family time with my daughter, when we’re playing in the garden or enjoying board games together – traditional family time when you put down the devices, get out and do stuff. Children don’t stay young for long and there will come a point where Ella Rose no longer wants to spend time with us, so while we’ve got it, I really want to make the most of it.
What scares you the most?
Death and dying. Losing my dad 10 years ago [vicar Frank Hawkins passed away in 2015 aged 78, after three years battling motor neurone disease] really rocked my world. It took a long time to get over that feeling of loss. Death happens to everybody and it’s a horrible thing. Even though she never met him, Ella Rose feels like she knows my dad. When we’re on a plane we wave to grandad Frank in heaven and he ‘buys’ her a Christmas gift every year. It’s just lovely if you can keep people who have passed away alive.
What are the best and worst things about getting older?
The best thing is experience. You’ve seen a lot of life, you care a bit less about things because you’ve seen it all before, so it gives you confidence. The worst is the lack of energy, your memory isn’t quite the same, you feel more aches and pains – and the fact you definitely get worse hangovers!
What is your biggest regret?
I try not to have regrets, or not to look at them as regrets. It’s that mindset of ’don’t worry about the things you can’t change’. And if you make al
