Shape I'm in: Anna Nolan on being a TV presenter and why her own baking skills are limited

ANNA Nolan found her second vocation, TV presenting, after she appeared in C4’s reality show, Big Brother.

The ex-nun went on to present a string of TV programmes, including RTE’s The Afternoon Show.

She is now on her third vocation, as development executive at COCO Television, and is the driving force behind Operation Transformation and Room to Improve.

She’s back on TV to present The Great Irish Bake Off on Sept 19 at 9pm (TV3).

“I had no idea about the amount of work that went into baking. It’s not like cooking, where you can taste as you go along — you are creating a chemical reaction” says Nolan, 42, who lives in Dublin with her partner, film and TV director, Dearbhla Walsh.

She admits that her own baking skills are modest: “I would do the odd little coffee cake, a baked cheese cake and muffins. It would be very limited. I prefer cooking.”

What shape are you in?

I’m in good shape. I do interval and weight training four mornings a week. The gym is very close to the office. I am there around 8 o’clock. I also play basketball.

Do you have any health concerns?

I have extremely high cholesterol — a genetic condition, called FHC. My cholesterol was up to 11 a few years ago. So I am on a very high dosage of Lipitor, which has brought it down to 6. For some people, that’s a scary number, but I am extremely happy with that.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I’m obsessed with barbecuing, so I would grill vegetables most nights. I have to make myself stop eating meat and remind myself that fish is a good option, too.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Rioja and Malbec are my two favourite red wines. And I am just as happy with a plain Cadbury’s bar as with any fancy-pants chocolate.

What would keep you awake at night?

Very little. I am one of the best sleepers in the world. I just need to put my head on the pillow and I’m asleep. I’ve got into the habit of waking up at 6.30am and popping out of bed. That’s not necessarily a worry, but It’s a definite change in sleeping habits.

How do you relax?

Either watching a drama on Netflix — I am mad into a comedy series called Orange is the New Black — it’s set in a women’s prison in America. A little walk on Sandymount Strand would be lovely, as well.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Stephen Fry, Davina McCall, Hilary Clinton, my pal, Bláthanid Ní Chofaigh, and my partner, Dearbhla.

What is your favourite smell?

I love the lavender that’s growing in our front garden. I also love the smell of the coffee cakes my partner bakes. I have that for breakfast when she bakes it.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

I don’t want to change anything about my appearance. I wish my legs were more toned, but I could do something about that if I got off my behind.

When did you last cry?

Yesterday. I was feeling a little bit stressed and a little bit sad. I walked out of the office and walked around the corner and I was fine after five minutes.

What trait do you least like in others?

I hate people who are arrogant and condescending.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I can be quite emotionally detached ... and I know that irritates people. I just don’t think I was given enough of the empathy gene. I can be caring though.

Do you pray?

I have not prayed in 20 years.

What would up your day?

If I got a phone call to say one of the shows I was working on got commissioned for a pilot.