STYLE GURU: ‘TRINNY IS MORE THAN A BEST FRIEND TO ME'

SUSANNAH CONSTANTINE OPENS UP ABOUT HER LONG-STANDING FRIENDSHIP WITH TRINNY MARRIAGE COUNSELLING WITH HER HUSBAND AND WHAT HER LATE FRIEND PRINCESS MARGARET WOULD MAKE OF HARRY AND MEGHAN’S US MOVE

- OLIVER GRADY

Back in 2001, Susannah Constantine and her best pal Trinny Woodall burst on to the style scene with their makeover show What Not To Wear. The vivacious pair grabbed life by the balls – and often their contestants by the boobs – as they shared simple, confidence-boosting tips for everyday people. Wide leg trousers anyone?

Though they were criticised for their sometimes brutal honesty, Susannah tells OK!, “It was such an authentic and genuine show. We loved doing it and so did the people we worked with.”

But despite calls from fans for the dynamic duo to reunite professionally, Susannah insists that ship has sailed. “Too much time has passed and we’re probably a bit too long in the tooth – but Trinny is still my absolute best friend.”

After leaving the show in 2005, the pair have gone on to explore their individual passions. For Susannah, that has always been writing, and her second novel, Summer In Mayfair, is about to hit the shelves.

The 58-year-old, who appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, pens her novels in the kitchen of her Sussex family home, which is currently a full house amid the coronavirus pandemic. Susannah and her husband Sten Bertelsen, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in April, are parents to son Joe, 21, and daughters Esme, 19, and Cece, 16. Susannah also presents her podcast, My Wardrobe Malfunction.

Here, as she celebrates the release of her second book, Susannah reflects on her career and opens up about mental health…