The TV presenter, who calls Altrincham home, on sipping martinis, shopping vintage and staying sane.

For me, home is…

Lying down in my courtyard, in the sun with a glass of Pinot Noir, the dog at my feet and I just breathe. I live on the border of Altrincham and Bowdon in a four-storey Georgian house and I love the simple things. My life has so many different levels of reality. One day I'm interviewing Hollywood stars like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the day I'm doing a pile of ironing.

Your earliest Cheshire memory?

My first taste of Cheshire was back in the 90s. I had a job at the BBC in Manchester and had to buy somewhere to live. I moved to Sale near Hale, then got introduced to leafy Cheshire and its wine bars.

Where do you head for a health kick?

I love Yogalife in Altrincham. If I don't do my hot yoga I pay for it psychologically, emotionally and physically. I go about 3-4 times a week for my sanity.

And to indulge?

There's a lovely pub in Mobberley called the Church Inn. Sometimes I close my eyes and think: 'Two more days to go and I'll be in the Church Inn in Mobberley'. They do the best sticky toffee pudding but often I've stuffed myself too much to attempt a dessert.

Where do you do some credit card damage?

Lisa Stirling Vintage in Bowdon has the most beautiful vintage designer labels. Elite Dress Agency in Altrincham does all sorts of second hand from Gucci to Karen Millen.

Most romantic moment in Cheshire?

My fiancé, Martin, lived in Brooklyn for five years. One day he rocked up on the doorstep unannounced for one night only. To come from Brooklyn to Altrincham to say 'you're worth it' is pretty cool. He finally gave up the American dream to come and live with me and my two children - to live the Cheshire dream!

What's your Cheshire beauty secret?

I go for facials with Dr Nyla in Alderley Edge. I'm not interested in fillers or having Pringles lips. Everyone seems to think they're OK apart from me.

If you could move into any building in Cheshire?

Tatton Hall in Knutsford. It's a lovely stately home but I wouldn't want to do the cleaning or pay for the heating.

And to go wild with friends?

The Con Club in Altrincham has live music and you can go on until the early hours. I can walk there and stagger back. They do the perfect dirty martini. But I tend to stay in more these days. I've got my dream team; I go to yoga with Sally Dynevor from Corrie, Denise Welch lives in Wilmslow and is always coming round for a cuppa. Then there are [actresses] Angie Lonsdale and Sheree Murphy, who's a mum at the school. In leafy Cheshire, you can bump into really famous people. It's bonkers.

Your Cheshire life in three words

Varied, convenient, unexpected.