When I started in journalism aged 22 I had to interview famous people at award ceremonies. I interviewed the actor Ross Kemp, and mistakenly called him Grant [his character from EastEnders]. It was one of the most embarrassing moments. He wasn’t very impressed. I can get starstruck by celebrities, but I don’t get intimidated by interviewing politicians.
The most nerve-racking question I’ve ever had to ask was during the first Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme. I had to say the word “pussy” to the prime minister then, Theresa May. It was in reference to Donald Trump’s quote: “Grab them by the pussy.” I read it in full, live on air. It was quite a moment. No 10 was angry because they thought it was inappropriate to say that in front of a prime minister. But if you don’t say it, you don’t understand the violence of the language that he’s using. I was also heavily pregnant and had bad morning sickness at the time.
* Sky’s Sophy Ridge: ‘I survived Theresa May’s death stare’
At school we did two weeks of work experience. I did one week at a law firm and hated it. In my second week I did it for the local paper, the Richmond and Twickenham Times, and it was brilliant. Every single story was different. If you’re curious about the world, journalism allows you to feed off that curiosity.
My dream was always to be like Adam Boulton, so I feel lucky to have had the chance to work with him. I also admired war correspondents like Kate Adie. But the people who influenced me most were the editors at local papers. Unlike those at the law firm, they never dismissed me. They took the time to offer advice — like reminding me that you have to ask the awkward questions even if you feel embarrassed.
I was a complete book nerd growing up. I loved The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum. I was blown away by the whole world he created and the hurricane. I took it out of the library so much, they let me keep it because it was so battered. Growing up, I wanted to be a novelist.
I loved Victorian doorstoppers — Tess of the d’Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, and anything by Charles Dickens, particularly Our Mutual Friend and Bleak House. I have a strong memory of reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood when I was 15. That was a transformational book for me. It made me think a lot about being a woman and society.
It’s deeply uncool, but probably East 17. When I went to secondary school — Tiffin Girls’ School in London — my music taste changed to liking bands like Oasis and Nirvana. I would listen to them again and again in my room.
My parents, both teachers, were really into music, but going to a concert was a special occasion. Aged eight, I went with them to see East 17 at the Royal Albert Hall. It was a really big day, and we ended it by going to see Santa in Hamleys.
I went through a phase of being into the bands Green Day and Feeder, so I had a rucksack with loads of badges on. As I got older and started to like Nirvana, I would adopt dark eyeliner and start to hang around skate parks.
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Disney’s The Little Mermaid. I was so excited to see it, then came out of it absolutely traumatised. I also remember sneaking in to see The Full Monty when I was 13.
I’m quite a private person. When I saw Jamie T at All Points East with some mates, there were some people taking pictures of me when I wasn’t aware of it. I found that overwhelming.
I feel like my life is a rolling chaos, which I’m clinging to by my fingertips. I don’t take any of it for granted and don’t feel relaxed enough to feel like I’ve made it.
Mornings with Ridge and Frost is on Sky News from November 3 , 7-10am
What are your formative cultural experiences? Let us know in the comments below
