The Shape I'm In: Mairead Farrell

Fitness regime: Mairead Farrell exercises over three lunchtimes a week.

GIVEN her wall-to-wall schedule, it’s easy to understand why fitness is crucial to Mairead Farrell. A producer with Today FM’s Ray D’Arcy show and a TV presenter, she’s on an intensive training programme that is delivering impressive results.

“I am amazed at what I can lift now — I did nine chin-ups the other day, bench pressing and dead lifts,” says Mairead, 33.

When not at work, she is at home with her son Dara, six, au pair and partner Louis. And every minute is precious. “I got an au pair over a year ago — it’s been life changing. When I go home now, he’s out of his uniform so all of the things that I would have had to do are done. Now as soon as I come home we can hang out together. I am almost gaining an extra hour a day with him.”

What shape are you In?

Much better than I would have been 10 years ago. I have been doing half marathons. I’m with a fantastic place — a small group personal training gym called Fitter, Faster, Stronger — three lunch breaks a week. There has been a huge improvement in everything — the shape of my arms, my shoulders, in general how I feel.

Have you any health concerns?

None. I am very fit. I’ve a dull pain in my right knee so I don’t run as much now.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I generally have a very good diet. Lunch tends to be the healthiest, partly because I am so hungry. I’d eat a brick wall after the gym. I am a huge fan of Wagamamma’s food.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

We get a takeaway during the weekend — we have a fantastic local Indian restaurant — or it’s pizza. We break all the rules and eat in front of the TV.

What would keep you awake at night?

Very, very little. I have talent for sleeping. I can fall asleep anywhere. I’m rarely up past 10 on what I call school nights. I am up at 6.15am.

How do you relax?

At weekends I tend to watch nonsense TV or a movie on Netflix. I do find newspaper-free days relaxing. Also, really simple things like going out for a walk with Dara on his bike.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Rodger Federer, I adore him; my mum, Maureen, who passed away when I was 20; Brian O’Driscoll and Amy; my partner Louis — he is always good fun; the cricket player Freddie Flintoff; Chuck Bass, a character in Gossip Girls — if he was a real person I’d love to invite him.

What is your favourite smell.

For memories, Estée Lauder’s Knowing perfume — it’s one my mum used to wear. And coffee in the morning — I have a Nespresso at home.

Is there anything you’d like to change about your appearance?

I’d love to be a bit taller. I’m average height — 5ft 5in — but everyone thinks I am smaller than I actually am. Also, I have the whitest skin in Ireland. I’m quite envious of people with that sun-kissed look. Other than that I am happy with who I am.

When is the last time you cried?

My son’s copybook came home from school at the end of the summer. I cried reading it because every Monday — my day off work — he wrote: “Today is my favourite day — my Mum’s collecting me from school” or “I loved today, my Mum brought me to school”. It broke my heart.

What trait do you least like in others?

Meanness with money and, in general, a mean streak when someone can be quite bitchy. It sucks the life out of me when I spend time with people like that.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I have high expectations of myself and of the people around me. I need to be more realistic.

Do you pray?

Almost every day. I get to Mass about twice a month.

What would cheer up your day?

My daily chats with Darragh when I get home from work. I don’t think he likes the truth to get in the way of a good story. He makes his game of red rover sound like Brian O’Driscoll dodging the ball.