‘I FEEL LIKE THE LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD'

AS ANDI OLIVER RETURNS TO HOST A NEW SERIES OF GREAT BRITISH MENU SHE TELLS US HOW THE SHOW CONTINUES TO BREAK DOWN BARRIERS

- TRICIA MARTIN

There’s no stopping Andi Oliver. She’s back this week as host of the 17th series of Great British Menu – with a new judging panel comprising chefs Tom Kerridge and Nisha Katona, and comedian and foodie Ed Gamble. She’s also been on our screens recently in The Caribbean With Andi And Miquita, an entertaining travel series she’s made with her daughter Miquita Oliver, which we hear is full of blubbing, belly laughs and early morning boozing!

It’s yet another new avenue for industrious Andi, 58, who first made her name singing in post-punk band Rip, Rig + Panic in the early 80s, alongside her friend Neneh Cherry.

The pair have remained close, working on projects like cooking series Neneh And Andi Dish It Up. And both have seen their daughters find fame of their own. Miquita, 37, fronted Channel 4’s Popworld and was the face of T4 until 2010, the channel’s must-watch for teens and hung-over students. Meanwhile, Neneh’s daughter Mabel has enjoyed pop fame.

Now presenting Great British Menu, Andi’s natural warmth puts stressed chefs at ease. And having run her own restaurants, she knows all about the pressures involved.

This year the theme for the final banquet is a celebration of 100 years of British broadcasting. And Andi can’t wait to tell us all about it…

Hi, Andi. So tell us about this year’s series and its theme…