You Can Go A Bit Bonkers At My Age!

Kate Garraway and I have woken up together for 17 years on the ITV breakfast sofa, so it was a treat to sit down with her to chat about her big 50th birthday, how to avoid a midlife crisis – and to learn all about her new book. Here’s what my GMB co-star and good friend told me...

- Richard Arnold

What have you learnt about yourself by writing your new book, The Joy Of Big Knickers? 

I learnt that writing is flipping hard and chatting with you on the sofa is a lot easier! I genuinely faced up to real fears. I had a massive fear of death and the loss of people I love and I really tried to tackle that head-on because that’s one of the clouds of midlife that hits you.

You look amazing... 

That’s another thing. I tackled my nutrition and fitness. I do feel fresher and fitter as a result. You can go a bit bonkers at my age and rush off around the world trying to do a bucket list but I have more of a ‘life list’ now.

What’s on it? 

Take stock. Look at the stuff you are hanging on to and deal with it. You don’t want to carry that on into the next chapter of your life. You need to think that you are driving the bus now.

Midlife and the menopause – how’s it treating you?

I’m in what they call the ‘little sister’ of the menopause. I haven’t had the classic symptoms but I’ve met some brilliant people who see the menopause as this extraordinary change, a bit like puberty, for women. If you harness that you can rewire your brain and find yourself in a free and clear-thinking way of life.