How did you get into radio?

The typical route really…sorry to be boring! I did a degree in Communication Studies and then a post-graduate course in TV journalism, but realised very quickly I didn’t like standing up in front of the camera. Bit of a problem. So I did lots of radio work experience instead, and was lucky that someone thought I was good enough to hire! I spent a year down at a newsroom in sunny Sussex, before I got the job here at City.

If you weren’t on the radio what would you be doing?

Hmmm….Maybe doing something for a music label. I spend ridiculous amounts of time, money and effort watching live music and buying albums, so if I did that, maybe I’d get that all for free! Or running my own bookshop – you know the type with big leather armchairs, and the musty smell of old books. Heaven!

What would you regard as your greatest achievement yet?

Oh I hate questions like this! Erm….I’d say getting the job here at City. I’ve had the opportunity to do so many brilliant things, from going to Lapland to see some wonderful kids meet Father Christmas to interviewing the Home Secretary, it’s been great fun. Plus I get to work with some alright people… Only joking, they’re great!

What’s the best story you’ve ever reported on?

The end of XL Airways was a pretty crazy morning. They were based about half a mile away from my old station, and as I was happily about to tuck into my porridge at 4.45am, it broke they’d gone bust. Cue running round like a mad woman, begging ex workers to talk to me and calling copious amounts of holiday makers in America. Over a hundred thousand people were stranded around the globe, just bizarre! I never did get to eat my porridge…..
 
Four words to describe yourself…

Chirpy, tea-obsessed, sleepy and loyal.

What bands / acts are you into?

My favourite band at the moment is White Lies, very closely followed by Maximo Park who I saw in Liverpool last month – just amazing! In terms of Liverpool music, I really like Sound of Guns. I saw them at Liverpool Sound City where they got a fantastic reception at St Georges Hall. I love Joy Division and New Order, and if I’m on a night out I put on some Dizzee Rascal while I’m getting ready. You also can’t beat a bit of Motown….The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Freda Payne.

What was the last album you bought?

I’ve bought a couple recently….Paolo Nutini, Kasabian and Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin as a birthday present!

What’s your favourite thing about the city?

The amount of things there are to do, even for free! Events like Liverpool Sound City, which bring the city together as well as put it on the map are pretty special. Even though I came towards the end of the Capital of Culture year I managed to get in a few events, the transition ceremony at the Pierhead was incredible. I think I’d only been in the city for a month and to be with thousands of people singing ‘All together now’ brought a little tear to the eye!

How would you describe Liverpool?

Energetic, outspoken and hilarious.

What’s your favourite memory of the city?

I’m not sure I could pick one! Erm… one of the first times I came to the city, a friend of mine took me on my own personal magical mystery tour. We went to the docks and I fought with a seagull over my ice cream, then we walked round the streets, found some lovely cafes and bars and finished off with a night in La’go and Heebie Jeebies. It was one of those perfect days where you meet lovely, random strangers and everyone you see has a smile on their face!

If you couldn’t be in Liverpool, where would you be?

Hmmm….maybe New York. I went there when I was a teenager and absolutely fell in love with it. Although I do have a dream to go to a Caribbean island and live in a shack on the beach. I’d be a freelance columnist, sleep in a hammock and the locals would call me ‘that crazy writer lady’. I could swim in the sea every day and learn how to surf. My friends say I wouldn’t do it because my Blackberry wouldn’t have any signal, but I reckon I could relax pretty well there!

If you were given the power to pass one law right now what would it be?

That people have to be perky in the morning or else! If I have to wake up at stupid o’clock to come in and read the news then everyone should be forced to be smiley! A ha!

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

So many, although they mostly relate to food! Eating nutella out of the jar is a pretty disgusting one! I love to read US gossip websites when I’m lazing at home, and sadly enough I’m obsessed with ‘The Hills’. My housemates would probably say my Sunday picnics. Come rain or shine I have a picnic with nice bread, pate and the world’s best crisps and then I read all the Sunday papers. It makes me feel happy and calm just thinking about it.

How do you like to relax?

By eating and sleeping basically! I try and spend as much time as I can with my friends here in Liverpool and back home in Cambridge, they make me smile! Shopping is always a fantastic method of relaxation; although the bank balance at the end of the day stresses me out a little bit!

If we’re talking football, who would you rather see lift silverware?

The Blues. I’ve been to Goodison a few times now and the atmosphere is awesome. When they went to Wembley for the FA Cup final, I reported live from Goodison. It was incredible, I was the only person in the press box and I had the press room all to myself! I was sat there with a buffet, can of coke and I watched the match on the TV in there. I was gutted about the result, but the day itself was fantastic.