Donna Air

“I really feel it when I can't get to the gym for a few weeks. I like to run on a treadmill in the gym so I can keep track of what I'm doing.”

“When you work and earn money as a child, you need to be confident, but it can make you a bit precocious, and I think I was a bit of a pain for a while when I was young.”

“I find it very easy to love because I grew up in such a loving family.”

“My look is relaxed, and while I love fashion, I don't obsess about it. I don't have set rules when it comes to dressing, and I don't mind where my clothes are from.”

“Life experiences can, at times, be quite humbling, but you learn from them. But I like the changes in my life and what kind of person they've made me into. I'm very open, not as judgmental as I was in my twenties, and a lot more compassionate.”

“Some people think I can only do fancy; I don't know why. I'm a pretty easy person, really. Low maintenance. I get on with things, and I'm comfortable anywhere.”

“I think a lot of mothers are doing as I am: starting up their own ventures as their children grow older, and having a kind of second blooming.”

“I like to experiment, and my life has been eventful.”

“I've always embraced everything and been open-minded about what's ahead.”

“Sunday night is curry night. I always order a spinach paneer and a chicken tikka. There's usually something good on TV like 'Mr Selfridge' or 'Downton Abbey,' so I'll watch them before I have to think about blowdrying my hair and all the other boring stuff us girls have to do!”

“I've always earned my own money and enjoy being independent. It's how I was brought up.”

“I've spent a lot on clothes. I'm not kidding when I say I could have bought several country homes with the money. I've also given a lot away over time. I had a lovely Yves Saint Laurent jacket that I'd only worn once or twice, but I'm one for spring cleaning rather than storing my clothes.”

“I've never deprived myself of anything. I've always thought if you need to lose weight, carry on eating what you like, just eat less. I don't agree with doing without pasta or bread; it's too harsh.”

“My daughter is the funniest person I know, and I couldn't imagine my life without her.”

“After a really hectic week, I hate going out on a Friday evening, so I'll always opt for a night at home.”

“I am partial to a cartwheel or two. It's the way to go; I'll be doing them in my 50s, hopefully.”

“I've been a skinny girl my whole life. I just don't sit down - I'm always on the go. It must be down to the genes. We have a healthy body image in my house and great appetites. It'd be hard for you to find a food I don't love.”

“My dad was a mechanical engineer and a drummer. We had no money, but I never felt we had no money, and that's what I remember now, having my own child. I think, 'Oh so what?' Kids don't go around the house seeing what's wrong with it.”

“I don't stress about things I can't change, so if I have a day when I don't look great, I don't look in the mirror! I try to fit in one session of Bikram yoga and one run a week and, if I can, one swim, but that's pushing it.”

“I was always in trouble for chatting. My school reports all used to say, 'Donna is a very bright girl, but she must stop talking in class.' In the end, I made a career out of it.”