Every day’s a joy TV

The presenter Pamela Flood turned 40 soon after she gave birth to Harrison just over a year ago. Her first baby’s arrival marked a sea-change in her life.

“Life as we know it completely turned on its head. But motherhood is a joy. Every dirty nappy is a joy, every cry at 3am is a joy.”

Living in Clontarf with her restaurateur partner Ronan Ryan, Pamela says Harrison is generally a very happy child. “He loves to giggle and laugh. He’ll be looking at me and at Ronan as if to say ‘who’ll make me laugh?’”

While she envies the energy of younger mums, Pamela says: “At my age, you have a hell of a lot more patience than you had when younger. You acquire patience as you get older.”

She always loved babies, but says this affection has now taken on a new momentum. “I want to cuddle all babies, smell their heads. I just love them.”

Harrison is her partner’s second son. “Zach is 10. He lives with us half the time and he’s amazing with Harrison. He’s so patient with him and a real pal to him.”

Understandably, the former Off The Rails presenter doesn’t have a lot of time these days to indulge her love of fashion. “There’s very little ‘me’ time now. I wouldn’t change that but I have learned to value the free time I have. Superficial stuff like fashion has to take a back seat for the next few years and that’s fine.” ¦ Pamela is the face of this year’s Pregnancy & Baby Fair, which takes place in Dublin’s RDS on Apr 14 and 15 and in Cork’s City Hall on Apr 21 and 22.Check out www.pregnancyandbabyfair.ie.

What shape are you in?

I can honestly say I’m in the same shape now as I was before getting pregnant. I stayed really active during the pregnancy. I walked the dogs most days and swam a few times a week. I didn’t really care if I gained weight though — I was having a baby. I breastfed Harrison for seven months — he was a big baby and a hungry baby and all that helped me get back in shape.

Do you have any health concerns?

Nothing to speak of — my back is a weak point. It’s why I make sure to swim two to three times a week. I can go for weeks without a twinge, then I’ll wake up and go, ‘oh, I’m very stiff today’. My osteopath is amazing. I go every six to eight weeks for maintenance and straightaway if I have a particular issue.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I eat breakfast. I’m a porridge convert. I eat a great big bowl of it and add crushed nuts, sultanas and a bit of honey.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Where do I start? I love my healthy food. I love salads and I wouldn’t be a big red meat eater. But that’s balanced by my chocolate and pizza habit. I don’t see chocolate as a major vice though. Ten years ago I would have been drinking two or three nights a week and smoking. That’s all gone now.

What would keep you awake at night?

If anything would keep me awake, it would be finances. But very little keeps me awake these days — by the time I hit the bed, I fall into a semi-coma. Things that would have stressed me before aren’t issues now. Since having Harrison, what I deem important has completely changed. On a daily basis, my priorities are that the people I love are well and happy.

How do you relax?

By having a nice lunch with a good friend.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

George Clooney. I just love him - he’s the complete package. I’d invite Sandra Bullock - I’m a major fan - and also David Attenborough.

What’s your favourite smell?

The smell of Harrison after he has had his bath.

What would you change about your appearance?

I’d love not to be so pale. I’m not asking for a tan, just not to be so ghostly.

When did you last cry?

Tears are never far from me. I’ve always been quite emotional. Recently, I cried several times while watching the Sandra Bullock movie, The Blind Side.

What trait do you least like in others?

Rudeness. For some people it’s just a habit.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I used to hold onto to grudges. It’s something I’ve chosen to work on over the last year. I don’t have too many grudges now but there are still a few keepers. I think bearing a grudge comes from a place of hurt.

Do you pray?

I pray of sorts. I’m a lapsed Catholic. I do believe there’s something bigger than us. I don’t think we just happened — we’re too amazing for that.

What would cheer up your day?

Getting a call or text out of the blue from someone I haven’t seen in a while. I’ve got a small handful of close friends and a lot of pals. It’s lovely to hook up with one of them, when they ring and say ‘are you free on Saturday for lunch?’.