In Conversation With… Gaby Roslin
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So, Gaby – big question to start: in your view, what’s the meaning of life?
For me, life is all about being kind to others, spreading joy and being as positive as possible. It’s really how I was raised and why I wanted to work in TV from a very young age. I wanted to make people laugh and feel happy – it was never about the fame for me. I think it’s also a set of values that have come into sharp relief in the last couple of years – and continues to this day. People are scared about what comes next and all the uncertainty makes you realise how much the small things matter. Pre-pandemic, we were so consumed by having everything every minute, but we’ve all realised that doesn’t matter as much. I was also really lucky to be able to continue working in radio through the pandemic, and I’ve had lots of people reach out and tell me how much that mattered to them. It’s an unimportant job, generally speaking, but if it makes just one person feel better, then it’s worth it. I feel very lucky and humbled.
Looking back on your TV career, what would you tell your 20-year-old self?
I’d tell her to never stop – 35 years later, I still don’t want to. I always wanted to work in TV and be a presenter and, when I was a student at the Guildford School of Acting, my classmates thought it was bizarre. They all wanted to be serious Shakespeare actors and I wanted to be the face of Saturday morning children’s television! I’d also tell my 20-year-old self to get over her shyness. It’s turned out to be a lifelong affliction, so I’ve had to learn to live with it. My parents didn’t laugh when I told them I wanted to be a presenter – my father was in broadcasting, so I think he understood – they just told me to get through my exams and then pursue what I wanted to do. I’m so lucky to have had lots of ‘pinch me’ moments throughout my career, and I want more.
Tell us about some of those ‘pinch me’ moments…
Working with Chris Evans on The Big Breakfast and Terry Wogan on Children In Need – how lucky am I to have worked with two of the best? Those were the days of live television, when if things went wrong, we were forced to admit it! On Children In Need, Terry and I did hours and hours of live television – seven in total if I remember correctly. Today, they rotate the presenters throughout the night. I was also one of several presenters for the BBC's 2000 Today, which was a 28-hour-long programme to see in the millennium. I was the only presenter to stay on air for the duration. I love doing live TV – I’d do it all the time if I could.
Speaking of The Big Breakfast – what was it like getting up so early for those Saturday morning shows?
Totally fine – I got used to it quickly and have always been a morning person. When I joined BBC Daytime, it was a 5am call time and City Hospital was 4am. I still sometimes sit in for Chris Evens on breakfast radio and that’s an early day too. When I was little, I hated going to sleep – so much so that I used to get dressed for the next day before getting under the covers. It drove my parents mad.
Has your approach to health and wellness changed as you’ve got older?
My mum died of cancer, which prompted me to learn a lot more about health and wellness. I’ve done lots of research and I’m very passionate about it. I also have a serious wheat allergy, so I have to be quite careful about reading labels. I’ve been lucky to be involved with a few health programmes over the years, which have also taught me a lot about topics like sleep. Gut health was something I became interested in after my husband was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. A doctor suggested he try Symprove and he couldn’t get over the difference. I wondered if it might do me some good, too, so I gave it a go. Within three or four weeks, I couldn’t believe how good I felt. When they asked me to become an ambassador, it was a no-brainer – although I’d like to point out we still pay for our subscription. I felt very strongly I couldn’t talk about it if we were given it for free – I never put my name to something lightly.
What part does exercise play in your life these days?
When I couldn’t go to the gym during lockdown, I started working out at home and still do. I love Caroline Girvan, Alice Living or Karen Hauer. I also do ten minutes of exercise in between my first shot of Symprove and having breakfast (you have to leave a specific gap). In total, I work out about four or five times a week – a mix of cardio and weights – and then I walk at least six or seven miles a day.
Have you picked up any good beauty tips after years in the make-up chair?
I’ve always loved make-up – I even wore mascara to give birth. For years, talking about beauty in public meant people saw you as a bit of a bimbo and I’m thrilled to say that’s no longer the case. I swear by Murad Skincare (the vitamin C cleanser is my favourite) and the Spectacle moisturiser, which is new. They’re my two go-tos. I also love the prebiotic mask by Algenist. I don’t really go in for loads of fancy facials or salon appointments. I do my own nails, too.
It sounds like you’re on the go all the time – do you find it easy to switch off?
I genuinely love what I do, so if I get downtime, I love watching TV and films. It’s honestly my biggest passion. The Gaby’s Talking Pictures live show is going back in theatres in April, so I’ve been watching lots of films lately for inspiration. I’m also loving The Tinder Swindler. I wish people would stop making him into a celebrity – he’s clearly a loathsome individual. I’m also an EastEnders addict – I’ve never missed an episode. I also loved Unforgotten, The Tourist and Succession – Roman (Kieran Culkin) is my favourite. Also, Ted Lasso. I love it. I recently interviewed Nick Mohammed (Nate) for my podcast and I can confirm Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca) is also a goddess in real life. We’ve been friends for years and I’m so glad she’s getting her moment. She’s hysterically funny.
What about books – are you a reader?
I am. I’ve just finished Emma Kennedy’s new book, The Never Ending Summer. She’s one of my favourite authors. I’d also recommend The Things We Left Unsaid, which is a very insightful look at mother-daughter relationships.
Okay Gaby, time for some quick-fire questions. What’s the secret to a happy marriage?
Probably what I said at the beginning. Be kind and be positive. Mean spiritedness is the way disaster lies.
And what have you learnt about friendship over the years?
I couldn’t imagine my life without my best friend Celia. We’ve been through it all together – divorces, marriages, babies – and we’re both godmothers to each other’s children.
What has motherhood taught you?
Not to sweat the small stuff. I also don’t worry about the children as much as maybe other mothers worry about theirs. There’s a sense of humour you need to have about parenthood – it’s not all doom and gloom, like you often read about! But remember to take it all in, too – one of my daughters is about to graduate from university and I swear she only started a minute ago.
Final question – do you have a life motto you live by?
My parents always told me to follow my dreams but never hurt anyone else in the process. I can’t think of any better advice than that.
Gaby Roslin is an advocate for the water based probiotic Symprove, which delivers four unique strains of bacteria that reach the gut alive. To kick-start your journey, visit Symprove.com. A 12-week supply costs £149.99 and a four-week supply costs for £79.00. A monthly subscription costs £39.99.
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