Fearne Cotton webchat – your questions answered on Keith Lemon, Teletubbies and the future of radio

The presenter and writer spilled the beans on anger management, meeting the Royals and what she really thought of the ropiest Live Lounge performances
  
  

Even photoshoots give TV and radio presenter Fearne Cotton an excuse to practise yoga
Even photoshoots give TV and radio presenter Fearne Cotton an excuse to practise yoga Photograph: PR

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Thank you so much for the really interesting, thought-provoking and cool questions. I hope you all have a cracking Thursday afternoon in the pissing rain. And good luck all kids who started school this week. Bye!

PimpmasterFlex 3d asks:

Do you think Strictly is losing its mojo?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

No. It's terribly sad that Bruce died and there will be a different feel to it this series because he passed away. But my god I think Claudia and Tess are the most brilliant duo. I think they're great together. This is the great thing about TV - there's room for moving dramas and move for simply feelgood entertainment where there's no agenda and it's just people wearing beautiful outfits and doing sometimes beautiful dance routines. It can just be joyful without having to push buttons or deliver anything factual. There's enough crap to deal with in life - we need more unadulterated fun.

Harvey Window asks:

Do you like almonds?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Yes. What I really like is almond butter. It's great.

pitchthumping asks:

Why do you think music is so bland and unmemorable these days? This year’s Mercury prize, for example, was particularly limp and uninspiring.

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

If you look back historically there is bland music in every decade. We very easily forget the bland - because it's bland - and look back with rose tinted glasses. People are innovative in different ways today than they were in the 60s and 70s. Because music was more revolutionary back then because the suppression of post-Victorian and post-war life, the music stood for a freedom that people were feeling in life. We don't really have to deal with that in our life at the moment in the same way. Perhaps some songs do have fluffier lyrics and are more generic. But I don't think that's across the board. There are exceptional musicians like Stormzy and Royal Blood and brilliant lyricists and poets of our generation like Bon Iver and Alex Turner. There's beautiful music out there and there will always be the good, the bad and the shit.

gibbo 3d asks:

Do you prefer ferns or cotton?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Probably cotton because I love clothes so much. Ferns are lovely but at the end of the day it's a glorified weed. It's growing all over the shop in a dark shady corner. I'm describing myself simultaneously here aren't I? But yes - cotton because I really enjoy shopping.

JackMacrae asks:

What are you and Keith and Holly like off camera? Is it non-stop banter or more chill out with some Kit-Kats and a Beano?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Not Kit Kats and a Beano but quite chilled. We've all got kids so we do a lot of boring parent chat about schools and constipation.

DWFan1 asks:

What’s your favourite Pixar film?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

La Luna. It's five minutes long. It's so beautiful. The music is exquisite. I cried with joy the first time I saw it. I watch it even when my kids aren't around. You should all watch it.

Nothingtobeproudof asks:

I’ve always enjoyed your music shows and your transfer to TV has really made me laugh, too. Were you genuine when professing that some of the Live Lounge recordings where amazing? Some genuinely where brilliant. However, some where dreadful but you carried on with the praise anyway.

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

You know what, obviously some Live Lounges were exceptional, some were average, some weren't so good. But I definitely am not the sort of person who would want to say, directly to their face, that they had just done an appalling performance live on the radio. If there had been a really bad performance, the artist would have been more than aware of their huge personal mistake then I don't need to remind them of that. My role is to be mother hen and reassure them. So of course not all of them were exceptional but my job is not to be a critic. I'm there to talk, entertain and top and tail the performances. Not pick holes in their work!

johnnyfingers asks:

Have your son and daughter seen TV footage of their granddad on stage with the Faces or the Stones?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Yes they have. It's their "normal" so it's not like "oh wow grandad is doing that" they're just like "cool". I will equally show them a picture of my dad hammering up a sign in Watford retail park on his Instagram account and they're as equally interested/lack of interested in that. It's just what their granddads do. But I will tell you something - my son is obsessed with guitars. I'm not sure if it's in the blood or if it's because we have a lot of them in the house, but he loves them.

Anandamide777 asks:

What was your deepest motivation for writing this book and what insights have you had, in relation to the benefits of baby yoga?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

The motivation was a combination of my love of yoga - a deep love affair - with the fact I'm a mum and I have seen some positive benefits of my kids doing yoga. They're only small but they exist - I've watched my kids really focus on one small activity. As a parent to young kids that's quite a milestone, watching them listen and try to be a bit competitive. What I'm personally aiming for is for my own kids to see it as a very normal activity and then perhaps one day take it on themselves. I won't force them but the more prevalent it is in our house the more chance we have.

SeanOfTheReds asks:

Last year a YouGov survey found that only 10% of 16- to 24-year-olds consider radio an important media activity, with the majority of them preferring streaming services for their listening. This is going to be a problem when older audiences, who still retain an affection for radio, begin to die off. It’s not just younger listeners making the migration to on-demand services. I’m 42 and I can’t really remember the last time I switched on the radio since I joined Apple Music, and I’m someone who was up in arms when 6 Music was threatened with closure in 2010. Clearly features like Scott Mills’ Innuendo Bingo are designed to be packaged up for social media consumption but it doesn’t appear to be driving YouTube viewers over to radio. What can be done, or is this the beginning of the end?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I think all of this is the unknown. You can't calculate the answer to this question even with all the statistics and charts that are available. Times are changing. But when the internet came about people had these conversations about TV and that's still alive and kicking and very much enjoyed. I think the listeners may tail off over the years but hey I still listen to the radio and I'm 36 so hopefully I will still be listening to 50 odd years. And there will always be youngsters that buck the trend. I grew up listening to old rock music on vinyl when all my friends were listening to Take That and Boyzone. So it might change but it won't necessarily die. I think Radio 1 specifically have to be very focussed on their online output because a lot of that generation will be watching things online. I don't think it completely solves this problem but I think it's an interesting way of engaging with that audience. Radio 1 is still putting out the biggest bands in the world in the Live Lounge, still interviewing the biggest film stars in the world. There's no way it's over yet, it's just changing.

montyburns56 asks:

Is there anything that you don’t think is brilliant?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Yes, many things. I don't think homophobia is brilliant. I don't think animal cruelty is brilliant. I don't think people who make assumptions are brilliant. Lying is not brilliant. I have a long list. Maybe perhaps I shall write a passage about it in my new book for you to read personally.

SundayNighter asks:

You have sustained an incredible output, particularly this year with books on happiness, food and yoga. How do you manage to pack all of this in and was it your intent to branch out into these non-presenting, non-radio jobs, or have you cultivated the opportunities as it was something you’ve always wanted to do?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I find the time when either my children are in bed or napping or at nursery. Luckily I am not good at relaxing. I hate it. I rarely watch TV, I just watch Bake Off and the shows I love. I am a bit of a nerd too so I really enjoy learning new things. I love sketching and drawing and writing. So all the things my career has become are just off-shoots off my hobbies really and I'm very lucky that's the case. So I actually can't wait to do the work, it's not a drag. But it's true that most of the work I've done recently is done between 7pm and midnight, once the kids are in bed. As for branching out - there's only so much you can do in TV before you feel the need to do something else alongside it.

our ed asks:

What is your favourite take-out when you don’t feel like doing any cooking? Do you enjoy hot, spicy food? When was the last time you ate a kebab? (Can be both a veg or meat one, but please do say if was the slightly greasy-pitta-filled variety.)

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I love a Wagamamas. That's my favourite take out of all time. The vegetarian noodle soup with tofu is my favourite. As for kebabs, I don't eat meat, but in Australia when I was 18 and very drunk I ate a chip kebab. It's basically a chip sandwich but they called it a chip kebab so I'll go with that.

Bakelite asks:

Wenger – stay or go?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Are you lot confusing me with some kind of ex-football commentator? I'm really not the right person for these questions. My husbands is so obsessed with football that I've been forced to ignore all football activity for life.

AlexaDewar asks:

What’s your favourite thing about parenthood?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

It's the anchor that grounds me amongst all the absolute chaos of life. If I'm having a crap time or trying to navigate through something tricky - just knowing I have the foundation of family, and that I'm lucky enough to have my own kids, is enough to stop me from wobbling.

Bernie_Sanders_1888 asks:

David Brent or Alan Partridge? You can’t sit on the fence for this question.

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I'm going to say David Brent, but then I instantly feel guilty about missing out Alan. Purely because one of my favourite TV scenes ever is when Alan is shouting out "Dan" to his friend who can't hear him. It's one of the best bits of telly I've ever seen. It's genius. I'm such a fan of the Office, though. Greg James and I will often have full conversations with each other, only using quotes from the Office. No other text at all.

ClownFrown asks:

Are you still close to your sister Egyptian?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Great dad gag. That's the sort of thing my husband would say. And we'd say "no".

LedBoots asks:

Who won the FA cup in 1942?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

You're asking the wrong sister.

TedStryker asks:

How do you like your cheese on toast? I have always wanted to know.

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

On a very thick fluffy white slice of bread that I have sliced myself. I don't want pre-sliced. With classic medium strength cheddar. Nothing else going on. No beans. No pepper. Very plain and very 80s.

Iwillneverbeablue asks:

How do you put up with Keith Lemon?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I only have to one night a week so that helps. When Keith is being Leigh, he is quite normal actually. And really nice. And we really love each other. So I can kind of pretend that he hates my guts for an hour a week for the sake of the show. Sometimes before a show he is in character and I hear him in the make-up room, acting in character. He needs to be in character for the guests. So I see him more in character than out of character which is unnerving.

our ed asks:

Given the choice, which three people (alive or otherwise) would you invite to a party?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Ellen DeGeneres because I have a morbid obsession with her. Joanna Lumley because I want to be her, who doesn't want to be her? And Pam Hogg for the giggles. That would be a really strong showing of female attitude. I'd probably just sit there mute because I'd be too scared to say anything because they're all so clever and funny and wise.

I'll have you know I'm in 20-plus episodes of Teletubbies!

escaper asks:

How proud are you to appear in the credits of the Teletubbies every day despite contributing to (correct me if I’m wrong) just one episode?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I'm actually in 20+ episodes of Teletubbies I'll have you now! I did a whole day recording. I'm the voice trumpet, I'm the talking envelope, I'm a telephone at one point. I randomly count to five for no apparent reason. I introduce them onstage during the music episode. I could go on! If you watch more eagerly you will know that I'm not just the voice trumpet - there is a lot more to me than that!

Dodesy asks:

Can you tell me more about your decision to quit Radio 1 when you were pregnant with your second child? Did you have a relaxing maternity leave first time around, or were you constantly thinking about work – hence your decision to quit such a big show?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I left because I'd been there for ten years. It was as simple as that. I understood it was a lovely job but I needed a change. I thought it would be worth the risk to start again from scratch and leave on a high rather than be there for too long. Yes my children did play a factor - I didn't want to be absent from them every day. With my current schedule I'm at home a lot so it suits me. But I didn't want to work less - I wanted to be able to do more jobs from home, which I've managed to work out quite nicely. As for maternity leave, I did not stress at all the first time around - I was all consumed with keeping a small person alive while navigating leaking boobs and a lack of abdomen muscles. I had no time to shower or go to the toilet so I didn't have time to think about work!

OleksandrOK asks:

What is the best experience you have had doing your job?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Comic relief - going to Uganda to give out malaria nets that we had raised money for doing the Kilimanjiro climb. It was the first time I understood the enormity of doing charity work - meeting people face to face was powerful. It stuck with me forever. The other was interviewing Prince William and Prince Harry. I was only about 23 and I did an hour long interview with them and it was the only one they did around the Princess Diana concert. It was really lovely - we were the same age and I had no agenda which was a relief for them. It was a testing subject for them - the death of their mother. I was far too nervous and in awe to ask anything remotely controversial but the interview was seen as a success, and it was a really positive experience. I realised how massively grounded and lovely they are.

Led Zeppelin II was the album that made me fall in love with music

Chris Wilson asks:

What is the album that made you fall in love with music. We all have one.

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Led Zeppelin II - because my parents, especially my mum, played it relentlessly when I was growing up. So by osmosis I absorbed it. The other is the debut album by Hanson - Middle of Nowhere. I loved that as a kid! They once sang MMMbop to me backstage! And I think Bono said it was one of the best pop songs ever written so it's critically acclaimed.

ID6654445 asks:

What’s your favourite TOTP2 year? And what do you think about the BBC bringing back the format?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

1976 because there was so much good music floating around then. I am a huge fan of any 70s guitar based music, and soul music. It was the most decadent, revolutionary era of music. I would love the BBC to bring back TOTP, there's so little music TV these days and it's a very simple format that works. It's good fun and involves bands being brilliant - what's not to love?

Lott49 asks:

Do you follow the collective advice of other mums? When my (older than yours) kids want to dismiss anything,my wife and I say about exercise or healthy eating, they say, “Did you read that on Mumsnet?”

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I have 100% been on Mumsnet and it always involves me typing "is this normal?" into a search engine. Because you're terrified about keeping your child alive! I don't live or die by it but I use it when I need to because it's a positive thing to have that kind of community out there.

ID6654445 asks:

Do you think young female presenters are taken less seriously than male presenters?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Possibly. Maybe. But then I'm sure there are young male presenters that aren't taken seriously. If we take gender out of it and make it more about age then possibly because you've had less experience. But "less seriously" doesn't have to be a negative - what's wrong with just fun and entertaining? We don't have to take everything "seriously". Not in this industry - it can just be pure entertainment. Some of my favourite broadcasters aren't serious at all. Ellen DeGeneres is one of the best broadcasters out there, and she's never taken herself seriously for a minute.

Lott49 asks:

As a mother and a woman with strong opinions on mental health issues, what has your experience of the NHS been like?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Amazing. Whenever I've taken my kids to the doctors or A&E I have had a really positive experience. Three of my grandparents all had illnesses and died in NHS hospitals. One of my nans had cancer and she got the best treatment she possibly could so I'm extremely grateful for that. One of my dear friends was diagnosed with cancer in January and has been treated all year by the NHS and just got the all clear two weeks ago. After working in America I think we are so fortunate for having an NHS and being able to get treatment.

CarlBr0wn asks:

What’s your best memory of working with Reggie Yates? He’s obviously done some great serious work with documentaries etc – is that something you’d consider? What “issues” documentary do you have a itch to make?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

We filmed a show about twelve years ago called Only In America which was a youth based documentary based on the extremities of youth culture there. We did some wacky stuff - we went to an underwater hotel, we watched a rocket launch at NASA which was spectacular and a complete privilege. Because we're such great friends, working together becomes not work. What he's achieved in the documentary arena recently is spectacular - I'm extremely happy that he's fulfilling his full potential and showing everybody what a brilliant broadcaster he is, as well as delivering some tricky topics in a palatable way. I would like to do more documentary led stuff. I guess the issues I would want to talk about would be relating to things I've written about - so happiness, lack of happiness, how social media affects our wellbeing. Or if not, one on Led Zeppelin!

Updated

I find that infuriating when people are unwilling to look outside of their own bubble

ID6654445 asks:

What makes you angry? When was the last time you completely lost it?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I have trouble with people that don't understand empathy and are very one-track minded and can't see how other people are living or can't understand their choices in life. I find that infuriating when people are unwilling to look outside of their own bubble. That can also relate to ignorance. I did lose it recently – I learned that somebody was crossing the line, basically. I'm very loyal and respectful of other people so I can't understand when people are the antithesis of that. I didn't lose it at this person, I just privately lost it on my own. What did I do? I had to go on a long walk. I put on my headphones and walk until the rage has subsided and diluted and I can then react, if at all, from a level that is less heightened. At other times I just throw things.

Updated

suemaher asks:

What made you first get into yoga and when did you start doing it with your kids?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

A friend from Radio 1 about seven years ago asked if I wanted to go to a yoga class. Instantly fell in love with this strange new alien activity. I was just very intrigued about not only the physical but the mental and emotional benefits from zoning out in that way. That's something I've grown to understand a lot more of over the years. It's not like going to the gym where you get fitter and stronger - you also learn a lot about life and emotional depth and tolerance. All sorts of things that we have to battle with in life. As far as my kids go, they just watch me doing yoga at home a lot so they either try and emulate me and my husband doing a downward dog by the oven. Or we use flashcards - can you do this one? Or this one? Getting kids to focus on anything other than an iPad is hard. They become social pariahs if they don't have a screen of sorts. But I am very encouraging of any activity that you need to use your brain for. And my kids really enjoy it.

ID6654445 asks:

Which TV show did you like best growing up and which would you most like to present now?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

I adored Live and Kicking. Even now when I talk to Zoe Ball I am sort of in awe of her whole being. I hung off her every word on that show and would watch it in five hour stints - every minute of it! Then go off to a drama class or whatever. The morning was a no-go zone because I had to watch that show. As for now - the thing I am completely besotted with is Desert Island Discs. That's the holy grail of broadcasting. Anything else I don't mind as long as I'm having a nice time.

ID6654445 asks:

What was it like climbing Kilimanjaro with Chris Moyles?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

A joy! He was obviously a colleague at the time so we had a lovely relationship where we could completely rip each other apart while simultaneously hugging each other. All the friendships on that mountain were integral to getting us to the top and we wouldn't have been able to do it without each other. I only just made it to the top. There are people that love Chris and those that don't. Underneath his radio persona, whatever you think that might be, he's a real softie! Being on the TV or radio is very two dimensional. There are a lot more complexities that make up a character. Don't judge a book by its cover, especially in this industry.

PaulSimon asks:

What’s your favourite festival moment (or mishap)?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Glastonbury is always my favourite festival. I love discovering new music there so me and my husband the year before last stumbled across Unknown Mortal Orchestra on the Park Stage. We'd never heard of them and we were stood watching this majestic set play out - that was a really magical moment. I don't work at festivals that often any more I just go for fun. Bad experiences? I remember V back in the day. My friend had brought a pack of TUC biscuits in the tent and when we woke up they were ground into our skin and the place stunk of old feet. I also had one flip flop for the whole festival. That was my worst experience.

LucyNightingale21 asks:

What’s your favourite yoga position?

User avatar for FearneCotton Guardian contributor

Something very simple. I would say upward dog because I love the feeling of my spine stretching. It feels like a good, strong pose. What I don't like is anything where you have to balance on one long for a length of time because I get instant cramp in any one calf muscle. But that's the thing about yoga - anything that hurts is the area you know you need to hone in on.

Fearne is with us now

Fearne Cotton webchat - post your questions now

For her next move, Fearne Cotton has decided to start bending babies into weird shapes. Don’t worry, the TV and radio presenter hasn’t suddenly discovered a sadistic streak – we’re talking about yoga moves for little ones, of which she has two. Her new children’s book, Yoga Babies, is all about finding flexible new ways to make your bubba touch their nose with their toes.

It’s the latest move in a career that has seen Cotton presenting for over two decades. She’s covered the Radio 1 chart show, Top of the Pops, Live 8 and Red Nose Day – not to mention more music festivals than you can shake a falafel wrap at. And for anyone left doubting her stamina consider this: Cotton once climbed up Mt Kilimanjaro alongside Chris Moyles.

Now you get the chance to grill her on all of this and more. Fearne will be venturing into the Guardian office on Thursday 7 September at 1.30pm to answer your questions on anything (well, almost anything – given that Marc Almond recently stormed out after seeing the question “Do you like almonds?”, maybe best not to ask for her opinions on the cotton industry). Simply post away in the comments below!

 

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