First record you ever bought
Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’.

Last time you were chatted up
I don’t think I’ve ever been chatted up. I’m more of a predator.

First film you saw that really moved you
I think it was a film called The Pit Pony. It was about ponies that worked down a mine. I think one got blinded – I was only six; it was pretty emotional.

Last lie you told
Yesterday when I said I’d be back for tea in half an hour … even though I knew I couldn’t be.

First movie you ever went on a date to
Top Gun. I snogged him all the way through it.

First thing you do when you’ve got time off work
I head to the airport.

Last great meal you cooked
I cooked a pretty good one yesterday: grilled sardines, with barley and beetroot salad.

Last extravagant purchase you made
A holiday: my wife’s 30th. I took her to Champagne in France.

First crush
My games teacher in primary school.

First great piece of advice you were given
When my mum died. Somebody said: ‘It doesn’t get easier.’ They were right.

Last time you were star struck
We were at the Time Out Awards; that woman from the Green Wing was there. I absolutely love her, so went over to tell her that and made a right tit of myself.

First thing you’d do if you ran the country
Get rid of all the politicians and replace them with real people.

What would your last meal on earth be?
It would involve a pig. You can’t beat a pork chop.

First song you would sing at karaoke
‘Born to be Wild’.

Last time you exploited your position to get something
On principal I don’t do that.

Last time someone criticised your work
Bad reviews hurt. One Evening Standard critic wrote ‘I can’t understand why she’s so popular’, which I suppose you could call a back-handed compliment. Or just think that he’s a wanker.

First three words your friends would use to describe you
Energetic, generous, pushy.

Last time you made an impulse buy and regretted it
Last week I was at a charity event and bought a signed photo of Judy Garland for £1000.

First concert you ever attended
Queen at Wembley. It was right before they were huge and absolutely brilliant.

Last time you bought someone flowers
Yesterday. I sent them to my photographer to say thank you for doing a great job.

First thing you think of when you wake up in the morning
Have I got a hangover?

Last thing you think of before you go to sleep
Jot things down for the next day.

Economy Gastronomy by Allegra McEvedy and Paul Merrett, published by Penguin/ Michael Joseph in hardback, Mon 17 Aug, £20.