Angela Rippon

“Generally, I think many women can help themselves through the menopause by eating healthily and keeping fit, well and happy.”

“When people ask: where are all the mature women on TV? I say look at the daytime schedules - we're all there working our butts off.”

“I think there's a sort of an inherited thing here in Britain that we don't necessarily always talk about death, particularly about our own demise. A lot of people just don't get round to talking about it.”

“My first school was St George's, Stonehouse, in the centre of Plymouth. At the time, the area was quite deprived, so there were no school photographs - I don't think anyone could have afforded them.”

“Yes, it has been harder for women, particularly those over a certain age, to keep going careers in certain areas of the BBC like news and current affairs.”

“My mother, Edna, was a seamstress and my father, John, was a Royal Marine, and at war when I was born - so I didn't see him until he came home in 1947.”

“I was born in Devon and I often visit Tavistock, my spiritual bolt-hole.”

“The convention in royal interviews where two broadcasters are involved is for the presenters to toss a coin to see who should have the first, or last question.”

“When I was holidaying in Greece as a young girl, I burnt my legs so badly that I could hardly walk for a week.”

“Professional dancers make it look so easy and elegant to perform the 'rumba walk.' Frankly it makes me feel like I'm impersonating a chicken.”

“I studied ballet until I was 16.”

“I think more and more people are becoming much more sensitive to what they do with their money when they die, especially if they are people who have supported charities while they're alive.”

“When someone has dementia you just have to inhabit their parallel universe with them. There is nothing to be gained from challenging their take on reality.”

“I do a lot of daytime television presenting and think if you're rude about it, then you're being rude about people who watch it and enjoy it and get something from it.”

“Well, if you don't like fresh air, clotted cream or Devon fudge, Tavistock might not be your cup of tea but I suspect you'll be in a minority.”

“I grew up playing amid the rubble - a real-life adventure playground. We used to build dolls' houses out of bricks from the demolished houses.”

“The best thing about being a woman is that we're very good at talking to each other and sharing experiences.”

“As women get older we learn a lot more about men. We understand them better.”

“I don't own a yacht or a flashy car. I've always had safe cars because I do so much driving. I don't think I've ever been really profligate with my money, but at the same time I do enjoy spending it.”

“Life is for living and we should all aspire to grow old disgracefully.”