'I take my hat off to full-time mums'

TV's Ashley James talks to new about juggling family life with work and why stay-at-home mums are her heroes

- SHELLEY SPADONI

TV presenter Ashley James knows all about the “juggle”. With a regular slot on This Morning – where she recently fumed at how women are sexualised for what they wear – DJ gigs and a busy family life with partner Tommy and kids Alfie, three, and Ada, one, it’s all about balance.

Here, the former Made In Chelsea star, 37, who is refreshingly candid about the ups and downs of parenting on social media, opens up about being a mum, her surprise Celebs Go Dating cameo and why – though she grew up on a farm – she loves being back in her old stomping ground of Battersea, London and is a city girl at heart…

Ashley, you tell it like it is when it comes to parenting – and it can be less than glamorous, can’t it?

I’d say 90% is not very glamorous, whether that’s being handed bogies or dealing with toilet accidents and mishaps in public, or even answering the door with an accidental boob out in my breastfeeding days. The worst was going on the Jeremy Vine show when Alf was a baby and him having a poo explosion minutes before I went on air.

Do you enjoy escaping the nappies and getting glammed up for a red carpet?

I love it, it’s definitely the opposite of parenting – getting to feel all glam! I take my hat off to full-time mums. Being a mum is the hardest, most overstimulating job I’ve ever done. Going to work is like a break. But my career has always been so important and I’m so happy I get to do both. I’m a much better mum for it.

How have you changed since you became a mum?