My Life in Ten Questions... Andi Peters

'I’m obsessed with the English language'

Andi Peters, 40, is a television presenter, voice actor and media executive. He found fame as a CBBC presenter in the late 80s and early 90s before moving on to present Live and Kicking. He is an acclaimed voice actor with roles in films such as Toy Story 2 and was executive producer for Top of the Pops from 2003 to 2005. He currently owns a modelling agency, which caters for fitness models. Andi is also fronting the Flash-Griller campaign encouraging people to barbeque.

What would you normally be doing if you weren’t talking me?

Right now I at 4 o’clock I would probably be replying to emails in my office at home. It’s afternoon, reply to emails time.

Is there a phrase you use all the time?

I have certain words I use far too often. They are ‘delightful’ and ‘ridiculous.’ And ‘really.’ I use that quite a lot because people tend to tell me stupid things and I reply with, [mock high pitched voice] ‘really?’

Do you have any hidden talents?

I can cook. And I’m excellent at barbeques.

What are you particularly bad at?

Swimming.

In moments of weakness, what do you turn to?

Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, quite simply.

What did you want to be as a child?

I wanted to be a British Airways pilot. I wanted fly Boeing 747 planes. I get excited even now when I have to travel on one.

Name a book that changed your life.

The book by Lynne Truss ‘Eats Shoots & Leaves.’ I love that book because I’m obsessed with the English language and punctuation. Just ask any graphic designer who’s ever had to work for me. Can I give you an example? Dawson’s Creek. It is a creek belonging to Dawson. Graphic designer said “Does anybody care?” I said “Yes.”

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Actually I’ve got it written on my wall. [ Disappears to retrieve a frame from the wall]. I just wanted to read, it’s a quote which says: “Stand up for what you believe in even if it means standing alone.” I’ve no idea who said it. Perhaps we should Google it?

What advice do you wish you’d received?

Pay more attention in French class, because it would have come in useful in later life. I wish I could speak another language really fluently.

What’s your earliest memory?

My earliest memory is my baby brother being born. I very clearly remember that day because my baby brother Johnny and my baby sister Rebecca– they’re not babies any more! -- were both born on the same day. It was during my sister’s birthday party that my mum was rushed to hospital. I’ll always remember the party just ending all of a sudden and then by the end of the day having a baby brother.

What were you like at school?

I was middle of the road. As in, I wasn’t a swot, but I wasn’t a tough, trendy kid either. If it was the Big Brother house I’d be the one that got on with everybody, but didn’t really forge an allegiance with anybody. Luckily I was the funny one, so people always like the funny one. Well, that’s what they told me!!