My Secret Life: Konnie Huq, TV Presenter, age 32

(Portrait by Dominick Tyler)

The house/flat I grew up in... was a Thirties semi on a corner plot, near Hanger Lane. The garden ran around three sides, with a pond, a swing and two cherry trees. The tree got a fungal infection and had to be cut down. It was heartbreaking.

When I was a child I wanted to be... a photographer. I had an instamatic wind-on camera and remember buying the flashcubes and fixing on top of the frame. The flash credits were limited so you had to be careful not to waste any.

The moment that changed me for ever... was seeing an advert in Time Out for open auditions for television presenting work. Getting the spot of Blue Peter changed the path of my life.

My greatest inspiration... I haven't found one yet. When I do, maybe they'll let me know where I'm going.

My real-life villain... Foxtons

My style icon... style is in the eye of the beholder, but for me style is someone like Brigitte Bardot.

If I could change one thing about myself... I'd like my brain to retain more. Maybe I don't exercise it enough; perhaps I should get one of those bizarre video games that help train your mind.

At night I dream of... I have surreal dreams, so much so that I can never make head nor tail of them.

What I see when I look in the mirror... at the moment, bags under my eyes.

My favourite item of clothing... was stolen from the backstage wardrobe when I was a guest on the Weakest Link. It was sheer green with little blingy bits. When I realised I had left it, I texted the woman who was escorting us around the studio, but she never got back to me. I wonder if she's wearing my top now?

I wish I'd never worn... Half the costumes I wore on Blue Peter.

It's not fashionable but I like... socks with high heels. It's just more comfy, and that's important. It may not be cool, but if you've got long thin legs you can get away with it anyway.

You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at... Graffiti writing.

You may not know it but I'm no good at... Pool.

All my money goes on... mortgage, clothes, food: the usual. When I have more of it, I'll be saying all my cash goes on boats and houses.

If I have time to myself... I've been going through the piles of photos I have from days of presenting Blue Peter. I'm trying to order them in some fashion – I'm thinking a scrap book or ten. It's a good record of the amazing times that were had, and I'm worried that if I don't do it now, I'll forget.

I drive/ride... a silver Honda Jazz. It's very reliable and I love it, but I'm soon getting a VW Toureg.

My house/flat is... a sweet Edwardian flat with original features, including stained glass, greenery outside; it's important to have a healthy hedge outside your house. There's also a nice wrought iron balcony with a little French door.

My most valuable possession is... my Grandparents were born in Bangladesh and died before I ever had a chance to meet them. In effect, my dad was an orphan by the time I was born. The photos I've inherited of them are my most treasured items.

My favourite building... is the Alhambra Palace in Grenada. It's just amazing that they could have achieved building this.

Movie heaven... there's a big screen and I'm in a duvet. I'm watching different films for each different occasion. The first would have to be Trading Places. It's the first film I ever saw and I just loved it. Then there's the first time I ever saw boob on telly, in Cinema Paradiso, so that would have to be the next one...

A book that changed me... was To Kill A Mockingbird. There's an important message, to learn the importance of standing in another person's shoes in order to understand a situation.

My favourite work of art... I like Van Gogh's Cornfields. The guy who lived next door to us in our family house painted a copy, which we had up in the living room. It reminds me of growing up.

The last album I bought/downloaded... Cold Play, La Vida Loca

The person who really makes me laugh... I don't usually eulogise about people, but I saw Russell Brand doing stand-up before he was really high profile. I didn't really know what to expect but I laughed until my belly ached. He was so funny and clever and witty; off-the-cuff and engaging.

The shops I can't walk past... is M& S Simply Food. Everything tastes so good in that place. It's really annoying.

The best invention ever... the wheel.

In ten years time, I hope to be... I don't like to set myself goals as I'll only be disappointed if I don't achieve them. That said, everyday just seems to be getting better and better. I'm lucky to have such a brilliant life.

My greatest regret... not being as succinct as I'd like to be.

My life in seven words random, fun, surreal, eclectic: it's just brilliant!

A life in brief

Konnie Huq was born in Hammersmith, west London, on 17 July 1975. A Blue Peter presenter between 1997 and 2008, she had to deliver an apology to viewers after the BBC admitted the programme had faked a phone competition. Huq had studied economics at Robinsons College, Cambridge, before attending open auditions for television presenting and has worked primarily on children's shows as well as news presenting for BBC Asian network and BBC News 24.

Huq controversially took part in the Olympic torch relay in London in April this year, where a protestor tried to grab the torch from her hand, before he was arrested. She lives alone in Ealing and is supporting