SHOP SMART SAVE MONEY HELPS CONSUMERS MAKE SENSE OF CONFUSING DEALS AND OFFERS. WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S BEEN SO POPULAR?
It's filmed live 24 hours before it goes out, so it's very up to the minute; the latest things to look out for. We're not pulling the wool over anybody's eyes. It's a very straight, honest show. We're taking the brands to task, which I think is important. Also, it's incredibly real. It's filmed in a shopping centre, so real people are involved in it. Shopping is something that we all do. Some love it, some hate it, but everybody has to do it.
SO, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THE NEW EPISODES?
We will look at Halloween, Bonfire night, and we will look at Christmas – it'd be crazy not to, it's the time that people spend the most money. I think in these very uncertain times, everybody is worried, and with so many of the big stores having problems... And the haves and have-nots... I hate that expression, but people who don't have as much as others – the gap is vast. People who have excessive wealth, some of them have no concept of what it's like for people to choose between heating and eating.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TRICKED INTO BUYING SOMETHING YOURSELF?
I've been caught out with BOGOF. I remember when I was doing the last series, taking my youngest to get new gym gear for her school kit. We were in a shop and it said '3 for 2', so I picked up three, and then my daughter looked at me and said, 'Mum, I only need one'. I'd completely fallen for it.
YOU HAVE A 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. HAVE YOU TAUGHT HER TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT MONEY?
Yes. She earns money, goes babysitting quite a lot. They know that we have to work. I love my job, but I can't not work, because I have to pay for mortgages and bills. Like everybody else, money comes in and money goes out, and it's frightening how fast that happens.
DO YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTERS USING INSTAGRAM?
Absolutely. My youngest isn't on it, because she's too young. It's vitally important that they're aware. It's very different for me, you know – that's what I do. I do television, I do radio, and I use it [Instagram] to have a laugh, actually. I'm not doing face-tuning, or whatever they are, those filters. I'm very worried by the fact that everybody thinks they need to look 'selfie-ready'. I walk everywhere, I walk about seven miles a day, but I see – without fail, every day – people taking selfies, and posing and pouting.
YOU SEEM LIKE A VERY POSITIVE PERSON. HOW DO YOU STAY OPTIMISTIC?
Because I Iove life, I suppose. I don't apologise about being happy. Before my mum died, I always used to go, 'I'm so sorry, I'm so happy'. And then, afterwards, I thought, 'Hold on a minute, it's not very long we're on this planet, and God, I just love it'.
WOULD YOU EVER GO ON A REALITY SHOW?
No. I'm very lucky at the moment, I don't need to. I love watching Strictly; I will never ever do it. I'm too shy. I'm very adamant about it... The idea of dancing and going out wearing skin-tight sequins. No thank you!
:: Shop Smart Save Money returns to Channel 5 on Thursday November 1
