No.1 for Interviews - Melinda Messenger
Melinda Messenger

The ex-glamour model has left that world behind her and become a household favourite in the process. We caught up with her to find out how she’s getting on with her new TV show

She’s widely regarded as one of the UK’s most successful glamour models, but these days few even remember that’s how she started her career. Ask most people today what they associate Melinda Messenger with and they’ll say television presenting, charity work or being a mum – and it’s no wonder, because that’s what she now spends her time doing. She has three (very gorgeous) children: Morgan, nine, Flynn, seven and Evie, five. She supports every charity that she can and has just landed herself one of the most interesting jobs on television, hosting Live From Studio Five.
Going out on Channel Five every weekday evening, Melinda teams up with Ian Wright and Kate Walsh (of The Apprentice fame) to present this new magazine-style show. Completely unscripted, the trio discuss the topics of the day in an open, honest way – and it can make for some gripping viewing.
We caught up with Melinda, just before she stepped on set to find how she was enjoying her new job and how she was fitting it in with three children!

Live From Studio Five is off and running – tell us a bit more about the idea behind it.
We want to bring news and current affairs to a younger audience by doing it in a completely different, natural way. So instead of being scripted, we are able to discuss subjects in our own words and in our own way; just as you would with your friends. Because it’s unscripted and live it has a real energy and it makes it feel very different to anything that is on television at the moment.

How is it working with Ian Wright and Kate Walsh?
They are really good fun. Ian is very, very opinionated but very entertaining and there is a lot of sparring between the two of us! And Kate is just fabulous.

What do you think each of you bring to the show?
Ian has a lot of strong views. He tends to be quite macho about things – which Kate and I usually react quite strongly against! I’m a mother so I tend to feel very strongly about issues that affect kids and families and Kate’s a young woman – so she has a completely different take.

It’s completely live – does that make it a bit nerve wracking?
I think because I’ve been doing telly now for the last 11 years and because I’ve done such a variety of programmes such as talk shows, game shows and magazine-style programmes, for me I feel quite comfortable. I love it because I don’t have to be anything other than who I am, which is really a gift in television! There is an element of danger because it’s live but I get more excited than nervous.

As the show isn’t scripted, does it worry you that you’ll reveal too much about your own life?
No, because I’ve always been very open about my life. I’ve never hidden anything away. I like honesty and openness and that’s how I like to live my life.
Working on such a big show is bound to be demanding – how will you fit it in with your three children?
I’m hoping the routine will be helpful for us. Before, when I’ve been filming, I’ve been all over the place so I never knew when I was going to be home and when I wasn’t. I’m only away five hours each day, so once we’ve got into the routine it will be great. At the moment it’s a struggle! I think whenever you have kids and you go to work it’s always going to be – there’s just no getting around that!

They are all at school aren’t they?
They are. I get the emotional pull from Evie still who says, “When are you going to stop working mummy?” and that’s hard. She doesn’t miss out because my husband, Wayne, is in most of the day and I’m in part of the day so I just have to remind myself that she probably gets more time with us than most children where their parents have to work.

We heard a rumour that you are a bit of an earth mother at heart and would love to live on a big farm?
Oh definitely, I am Ma Larkin! I’d love a huge farm, animals, lots of children and to be living as natural a lifestyle as possible! That’s my ideal.

That goes completely against your image!
I’m only done up because I’m on telly! Usually you’ll find me in tracksuit bottoms, no make-up and my hair pulled back! On television in front of millions of people you’ve got to make a bit of an effort!

Would you have any more children?
Had I not had difficulties with my three pregnancies, I would have gone on to have more children but I think I’ve reached the point where I feel that I have three great kids who are all healthy and I have to count my blessing and be grateful for what I have. Some way down the line we might be in the position to adopt or foster and that would be great as it is something that I have always wanted to do. I know I would love any child as much as my own – once you’re a mother, you’re hooked!

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