TV presenter Charlotte Hawkins is just weeks away from her 50th birthday, and the star is slightly on the fence about how she feels about the day. But luckily pal Susanna Reid has been telling her ageing is ‘a blessing’.
Charlotte, who’s mum to 10-year-old Ella-Rose with her husband Mark Herbert, has, however, kept realistic about how to look after her body as she moves into the next decade of her life. And she even tells us she’d be open to a few tweakments here and there. Here, the star chats to us about family life, the dreaded mum guilt and what she does to stay looking so great…
You’re turning 50 in May. You look incredible – what’s your secret?
I just try to look after my body. I haven’t had any tweakments or treatments yet – although I’m not against them and I’m sure the time will come – but right now, I just try to keep things natural.
How about exercise?
I like swimming and I’ll do a bit of yoga and try to mix it up with weights. I’ve just taken up horse riding again, too, which I used to love as a child. And sometimes it’s those forms of exercise that bring you joy, isn’t it?
How do you feel about getting older?
I don’t feel like I’m heading towards 50. I think I’m probably a bit in denial about it. I spoke to Susanna [Reid] at work, and she was like, ‘You’ve got to embrace it. Ageing is a blessing.’ I’m not sure I’ve quite reached that stage yet.
Do you feel pressure to look good?
I guess the only time I feel it is when I’m on a red carpet. You feel like the ante’s been upped because you turn around and everyone’s looking amazing.
We heard you get up at 2.45am!
Some days I go in on just two or three hours’ sleep. But I think when you power on through sometimes with that focus, you just make it work. I have become very talented at sleeping at any moment. Once, I successfully managed to sleep during root canal surgery.
Do you ever suffer from mum guilt?
I dislike the term mum guilt, because I think everybody tries their very best, don’t they? We all try to make situations work for our children. And I just think you shouldn’t feel guilty about the fact that you have to work to pay the bills.
You’re hosting Andre Rieu’s 75th birthday celebrations.
I’ve worked with him for many years now and I always love being involved. His music is just incredible and the atmosphere that he creates with his orchestra is always super special.
Charlotte Hawkins will host André Rieu’s 75th birthday concert ‘The Dream Continues’ in over 500 cinemas across the UK from 12 April. Find a cinema and book tickets at Andre in Cinemas.