Weight Watchers keeps Lisa Cannon on her toes

In the hours before Ophelia lashed the country, TV3 presenter Lisa Cannon was cooking up a storm of her own making in the kitchen.

“I was worried the electricity was going to go, so I did some batch cooking,” she says.

The main cook at home, she’s not sure if her husband, rugby star Richard Keatley, likes what she puts on the table.

“He says he does but I think he’s just being nice.”

As an ambassador for Weight Watchers, she does her best to follow its diet plan, “with smart points every day”, including a zero-points soup. But it’s not always easy, particularly when work involves lots of travel and late nights. “I’m continuing the process — the ongoing struggle,” she says.

But there is not as much as a hint of a struggle when it comes to her work as presenter of the movie show, Box Office.

After 15 years in the business she’s sure of her footing, but every now and then a supernova appears before her. “I interviewed Harrison Ford recently and I said ‘Oh my God, he is a living legend’.” Other A-list actors she’s interviewed include Al Pacino, Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Robert DeNiro and Mick Jagger.

“I’ve interviewed so many people over the years and you realise they are just people. And they’ve been interviewed a million times before — there’s nothing you’re going to throw at them that they haven’t already heard. Once you go in there and know that — you’re fine.”

• Box Office airs on 3e on Thursdays from 11pm. Repeated on Saturday nights.

What shape are you in?

Weight Watchers keeps me on my toes — I get weighed in every Tuesday evening. I have a little dog and try and incorporate the walking with her. She’s a 10-year-old maltese called Lulu — a little old lady. At the moment with all the flying and running around I haven’t had the chance to do other exercises. I try and get a good long walk in on Sundays.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

It’s fruit in the morning — raspberries, blueberries, strawberries — with natural yoghurt. I’d also have a coffee. Sometimes it’s Special K or porridge if I’m on the run. Mid-afternoon it could be rice cakes and hummus, I might try some vegetables and a salad and then evenings it’s usually fish, which I love.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

A cup of tea and some chocolate — I do like Maltesers and Flakes.

What would keep you awake at night?

Probably work and my iPhone. Late at night, I’m always looking at interviews, BBC online, checking some of the American channels. I get about six hours’ sleep a night.

How do you relax?

I don’t know if that I do very well. Probably just going for a walk. Meeting friends usually releases the pressure — or speaking to them on the phone if I can’t get to meet them. And if I was being really indulgent, which is very rare, it would be a massage.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

John Lennon, Richard Attenborough, Albert Einstein, Roald Dahl, Martin Scorcese, Billy Connolly and Sigmund Freud — he could psychoanalyse everybody.

What’s your favourite smell?

Clean sheets and freshly cut grass. Also suntan lotion and scented candles.

What would you like to change about your

appearance?

My height — I’m 5ft 4in. I’d like to be 5ft 9/10in. And I’d like sallow skin.

When is the last time you cried?

Yesterday. It was to do with an animal rescue video about a dog caught in a well. He was saved but it was touch and go for a while.

What traits do you least like in others?

Bad manners. Insincerity. People who are Machiavellian.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

I’m a bit of a procrastinator. I over-analyse things — according to my friends. Also, I can be over-generous with my time, myself, my belongings, my money. It’s a good trait but it can get exploited. Of late, I found my generous nature was being taken for granted which is a very unpleasant feeling.

Do you pray?

I do. I went to a church not so long ago to pray for something for someone. I wouldn’t pray every night but if something’s important I will.

What would cheer up your day?

Knowing that I’m getting a third season for Box Office. Also, winning the Lotto.

Getting a phone call from Brad Pitt would cheer me up, too — he’s gorgeous.